Floating courts bring rulings to rural areas

A time-tested and enterprising concept is proving that not all legal matters need to be adjudicated in stuffy courtrooms.

A trial recently took place on a ferry on the waters of the Three Gorges Reservoir in Gaoyang township, Chongqing. Inside the vessel's cabin, 10 people sat upright, with all eyes fixed on a single passenger - a judge hearing the case at hand.

"Now the court is in session to hear the divorce dispute between..." the judge's announcement began.