Residents turn to circuit courts to solve disputes

After the bailiff found a high point to place the national emblem, judge Lei Zhang started a special hearing to solve a conflict between a monkey keeper and a manager at a scenic spot situated in the northwestern part of Huangpi district in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province.

The scene was set for a circuit trial, a type of mobile court proceeding. Lei, a judge from the Lijiaji People's Court in Huangpi, has been conducting such trials since last year.

Lei sat on a small stool, sandwiched between defendant Zhang, the manager, and plaintiff Zhao, the monkey keeper, along with an assistant judge and a clerk who managed to sit by the edge of the stool to take notes.

The special public hearing that took place at the site — known as a monkey mountain, where visitors can view primates moving around freely — on a hot summer day attracted not only many curious onlookers, but also Zhao's monkeys, who watched from behind.

Previously, Zhao had brought Zhang to court when they failed to reach an agreement on the relocation of Zhao's monkeys.

A few months back, Zhang invited Zhao to bring his monkeys to the site to perform and help attract more visitors. But in May, Zhang asked Zhao to leave after she decided to build an amusement park at the site.

Zhao wanted to have more time so that he could find a temporary shelter for his monkeys. Some of them had been pregnant, and Zhao hoped to move away from the monkey mountain after the babies had been born.

Lei decided to conduct an on-site hearing to mediate when he learned that Zhao had to take care of the monkeys every day, making it difficult for him to search for another place.

After extensive mediation in the circuit court, the months-long dispute between Zhang and Zhao was finally resolved. Zhang agreed to extend Zhao's departure deadline, and Zhao left after the monkeys delivered their babies by the end of June.

Zhao said he had accepted an invitation by another scenic spot for his monkeys to perform.

Lei said he has gotten used to holding such trials.

"The court hearing venue can be in a field, a factory workshop, a village house, or a scenic spot. Wherever the national emblem is, the circuit trial can be held, and this is the circuit court," Lei said.

According to Lei, his court has organized 15 circuit trials since last year. Such trials can help parties save money and time.

Usually, judges, judicial assistants and clerks carry China's national emblem in their cars, driving to remote villages to host a court hearing, he said. "It's actually more like mediating for residents and promoting legal education," Lei said.

The circuit court has now become relied upon by the surrounding villagers, as they all want to seek advice from the judges for their business and family matters, he said. "'Judge, is there any problem with my contract?', 'Judge, I need to buy a house for my son. Can you give me some advice?', are some of the questions many residents usually ask after the hearing," he added.

A local resident surnamed Wang, who lives in Paotongji township, said he lacks knowledge about legal matters, and if he needs to seek advice, he comes to the public hearing scene, which is very convenient.

"Every time I come for consultation, the judges always answer patiently," he said.

On June 7, Wang asked a judge to review his purchase contract.

"I don't know laws and lawyers, but judges know. They are very kind and always come with enthusiasm," Wang said with a smile.

Another person surnamed Wang said Lei had visited his factory many times to help mediate his dispute with a partner surnamed Wu. "Whenever there are problems, Lei arrives to mediate and coordinate. He is very responsible," he said.

Huangpi has multiple tourist attractions of different sizes.

A scenic spot manager surnamed Zhang said that judges from the Lijiaji People's Court often come there to carry out legal activities.

"They arrive in the scenic spot, then coordinate and resolve our disputes with tourists, achieving good results," Zhang said.

The jurisdiction of the Lijiaji People's Court includes Lijiaji and Luohansi sub-districts, covering an area of more than 300 square kilometers, with four communities and 99 administrative villages.

Residents have now been accustomed to seeking judges from the Lijiaji People's Court for help whenever they have problems and disputes.