BEIJING: Chinese judges are making a significant mark on the global judicial arena by upholding the rule of law, adhering to professional ethics and sharing their mediation practices internationally.
Shen Hongyu, a veteran in handling foreign-related commercial and maritime cases at China’s Supreme People’s Court, is a notable figure on the international stage. She became a part-time judge of the International Labor Organization’s Administrative Tribunal in July 2021, following a nearly nine-month selection process.
“Serving internationally marks a new chapter in my career and reflects the strong trust and recognition that international organizations have in China’s judicial system and its judges’ capabilities,” Shen said.
As the first Chinese judge on the tribunal in nearly a century, she has been a strong advocate for introducing Chinese mediation practices to the international platform.
Shen emphasized that Chinese judges have extensive experience in dealing with complex cases and coordinating across departments, which has contributed to the success of the mediation approach.
In Chinese courts, mediation is a dispute resolution mechanism, in which the people’s court, during the process of hearing cases, facilitates an agreement between the parties based on the principle of voluntariness.
Shen highlighted the importance of mediation in resolving disputes, saying that the method addresses legal issues and effectively resolves the underlying causes of conflicts.
Shen said that successful mediation relies on establishing trust through professional competence, efficiently identifying facts and setting clear mediation goals.
“Judges need to guide litigants to adjust their expectations, understand their interests and narrow differences to achieve a resolution satisfying all parties,” she said.
Shen added that what greatly encouraged her is the acceptance by the international community. Last year, the ILO Administrative Tribunal adopted mediation rules and named its first mediator, integrating this Chinese-originated approach into the global system, she noted.
Sun Xiangzhuang, a full-time judge at the United Nations Dispute Tribunal since July 2023, also emphasized judicial mediation as an “added value” of Chinese judges in the international community. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
