Longhua district court ups efforts to handle cross-border family lawsuits

Judges in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, have been intensifying their efforts to address the rapid rise in cross-border family disputes, offering better legal services for litigants, according to a report released by the Longhua District People's Court on Tuesday.

Established on July 6, 2022, as a division of the court, the Shenzhen Family Trial Center Involving Hong Kong-Macao-Taiwan and Foreign Factors focuses on handling first-instance cross-border family lawsuits, including those related to divorce, child custody, inheritance and property allocation cases.

The report indicated that as of Saturday, the center has handled 2,783 cases, with approximately 70 percent involving litigants from Hong Kong. This showcases the frequent interactions between Shenzhen and Hong Kong and highlights the vitality of the integrated development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

To prevent emotionally charged individuals from harming their family members or disrupting public security, judges at the center are mandated to prioritize the well-being of litigants and efficiently resolve their disputes in an equitable manner, the report showed.

All litigants have access to amenities at the center's rest area, where they can unwind in a musical massage chair and release stress on a punching bag. Additionally, there is a nursery to care for infants. Children can engage with toys and books in a waiting room while accompanied by family members, it said.

Furthermore, litigants are provided the option to mediate disputes through an online platform to alleviate the burden of travel and save time, the report said.

To find the best way to resolve family disputes and provide stronger protection for children involved in the cases, the center has set up a psychological assessment room and an observation room where judges can evaluate the interactions of litigants with their children through games to assess the quality of their relationships, it added.

In addition to the achievements, the report has also underscored the need for further service optimization and the enhancement of legal talent training, given the continuous rise in cross-border family disputes and the significant challenges posed by locating individuals and assets overseas.

According to the report, from Jan 1 to July 5, 905 cases have been filed at the center, surpassing the total number of lawsuits handled through all of 2024.

caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn