The first mediation workshop that is fully staffed by lawyers was launched yesterday in Shanghai to help resolve disputes in a professional, efficient and economical manner.
The workshop, located at the Shanghai office of the Yingke Law Firm, will service the firm's cases and those referred by the People's Court of Jing'an District.
Shanghai has other mediation organizations that have mediators with various professional expertise.
The new mediation workshop was set up in the wake of an appeal by China's Supreme People's Court and the Ministry of Justice, who launched a pilot program on October 16 to encourage law firms to set up mediation workshops and provide medication services.
"Lawyers are more professional in legal affairs than other mediators," said Ding Dehong, vice president of the People's Court of Jing'an District.
"Their mediation service is expected to be more convincing and efficient."
Most mediation cases could be completed within 30 days, while mediation of complicated cases could be extended by up to 15 days, said Li Judong, director of Yingke Law Firm's Shanghai office.
The firm will select 40 experienced lawyers — especially those who had worked in procuratorates and courts — for its first batch of mediators. It will also provide video and audio recording facilities for mediation sessions.
