Beijing Courts to find foreign mediators

According to Mrs. Shumei Wang, Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Courts No 4 Civil Division, courts nationwide have seen the number of foreign-related cases grow rapidly. Chinese courts heard 22,330 of such disputes last year, up 3 percent year-on-year. In such context, Beijing courts need to strengthen their capacity to deal with foreign-related affairs as the city is the country’s international exchange center and the establishment of the two zones brings about new and higher requirements for the judiciary in this area.

Foreign mediators are expected to participate in dispute resolution in Beijing courts to improve the judiciary’s capacity to handle foreign-related affairs. This move was highlighted in a guideline issued by the top court to facilitate the construction of Beijing’s pilot free trade zone and demonstration zone for further opening up the services sector. A focus on building a foreign-related legal system was also written into the recently adopted Outline of the 14th Five Year Plan.

Finally, Beijing will also increase protection of data property and personal information, with more research on new issues regarding big data transactions.

These expected steps undeniably improve trade relation with China through an overall strengthening of the legal system for foreign companies.