The Ministry of Justice is mulling people's mediation
legislation proposed by 167 deputies to the 10th National People's
Congress (NPC) during its fourth session this March.
They suggested that relative departments of State Council should
work to draft a law to regulate the people's mediation practice
nationwide.
According to the proposal, the procedures of people's mediation
system currently in use, review of mediation agreements, and the
stimulative mechanism for reconciliation are not standardized yet,
and agreements reached through mediation cannot be fulfilled on the
involved parties' own initiative. Furthermore, the quality of
mediation staff and financial support do not meet developmental
needs. It is urged that a comprehensive law on mediation be enacted
to regulate the practice.
Responding to the proposal, the Ministry of Justice is preparing
people's mediation legislation and said that the people's mediation
had made great process due to regulatory improvements.
According to NPC's Committee for Internal and Judicial Affairs
which give its assent to this proposal, people's mediation system
has played a pivotal role in settling civil disputes, maintaining
social stability and guaranteeing and promoting economic
development.
(China.org.cn by Li Shen, November 23, 2006)