Xiong Xuanguo, presides over the conference on the promotion of lawyer work. [Photo/ Ministry of Justice]

Xiong Xuanguo, browses the files to learn about their work in the mediation center of Pudong New Area Justice Bureau. [Photo/ Ministry of Justice]

China’s Ministry of Justice (MOJ) and Supreme People’s Court (SPC) held a conference for the promotion of lawyer work from Nov 13 to 14 in Shanghai.

The conference focused on universal pilot projects of defense lawyers in criminal cases, duty counsel for legal aid system and pilot projects of lawyer conciliation.

Xiong Xuanguo, vice-minister of Justice presided over the conference pointing out that these tasks serve to benefit the well-being of the people.

He came up with requirements for these tasks such as duty counsel for legal aid system requires lawyers from legal aid institutions that are stationed in court. Anddetention houses should provide real-time services.

Speaking of fund guarantee, Xiong said that the standards of legal aid subsidy should be raised and a multi-level fund guarantee system should be established.

Concerning guaranteeing the practice rights of lawyers, he indicated the implementation of all the policies to protect the rights of lawyers such as the right to know, right of reviewing files, right to conduct investigations and evidence collection.

The cohesive mechanism, Xiong mentioned, is the connection between the legal aid institution, court, detention house and lawyer reconciliation.

During the conference, the delegates also inspected the lawyer reconciliation room of Shanghai Pudong New Area People’s Court and mediation center of Pudong New Area Justice Bureau and lawyer duty room of Minxing District Detention House.