The Supreme People's Court and the Ministry of Justice have jointly issued a document launching a pilot mediation program in 11 provinces and cities including Beijing and Shanghai.

The program will see the establishment of mediation centers in the people's courts where the lawyers can act as neutral third parties to mediate disputes.

Law firms are also encouraged to establish mediation studios, where lawyers mediate in disputes at the request of one of the disputing parties and also undertake mediation in disputes referred to them by the courts or administrative organs.

Provincial judicial administrative organs, lawyers associations and people's courts in regions launching pilot programs are to jointly draw up regulations on lawyer mediation, and clarify the qualifications required of lawyers and law firms undertaking mediation.

Lawyer mediation is an innovative measure which is conducive to not only solving civil disputes, but also effectively saving judicial resources and litigation costs. In addition, it is of great significance that lawyers are being encouraged to play a more important role in improving the rule of law.