On Monday, Vietnam opened its first-ever court geared toward juvenile offenders and family-related cases.
The Family and Juveniles' Court, located at 26 Le Thanh Ton in District 1, is considered “the first model of a so-called ‘friendly court’ in Vietnam aimed at kickstarting country-wide judicial reform”, reports Tuoi Tre. As part of the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City, the 12 judges who head up this particular court will handle familial and marital disputes as well as criminal offenders who are under 18 years old.
According to Chief Justice of the People's Court of HCMC Ung Thi Xuan Huong, divorce proceedings account for 40% of all cases filed in the southern hub, meaning the new court's services will be put to the test straight away.
However, the facilities inside the new Family and Juveniles' Court building are slightly different to a standard Vietnamese courtroom. Instead of a judge's bench, arguments are heard around a square table, while the upper floors of the building are reserved for facilities such as an infirmary, a psychological counseling center and a children's playroom, which is monitored by camera.
“This layout makes any trial feel like a meeting or discussion among the judges, litigants, prosecutors and lawyers. It helps lift the burden off the parties and lets the tribunal listen more closely to the arguments and rule the case,” Tuoi Tre quoted Chief Justice Huong as saying.
Many local lawmakers praised the landmark court however stressed that feedback from actual cases is crucial in evaluating its efficacy.
“I think the establishment of a friendly court where children can play and receive psychological consultations without constantly hearing sirens and seeing criminals in handcuffs is a great start,” former Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam Tran Van Do told Tuoi Tre.
Moving forward, the Family and Juveniles' Court may expand to up to 18 judges depending upon its success.
[Photo via US News]
