China makes plan for social dispute settlements amid, after epidemic

BEIJING -- China's Ministry of Justice has released a guideline to direct a national campaign to resolve social conflicts and disputes at the later stage of the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic and following its conclusion.

Justice authorities at all levels were asked to mobilize lawyers to take part in the campaign and guide the public to resolve disputes in accordance with the law, said the guideline.

Lawyers were encouraged to get involved in dealing with public complaints and settling disputes at the primary level, it said.

The guideline stressed legal services for enterprises to facilitate their resumption of production.

It called for synergy effects of various mechanisms for dispute settlements including those by people's mediation committees, administrative departments and trade-specific mediation committees as well as through legal proceedings.

Demanding legal aid to the needy, the guideline urged justice authorities to ensure the effectiveness of the campaign.