THE nation’s first administrative trial center was officially set up in Shenzhen on Wednesday. The center is operated by Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court and Yantian District People’s Court, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

Located on the eighth floor of the Great China International Exchange Square building in downtown Futian District, the center covers more than 10,000 square meters. It will handle all administrative lawsuits and administrative actions without proceedings across the city.

Apart from the intermediate people’s court, the Yantian court will also open an office in the center to provide legal services. According to Yang Shuang, head of the Yantian court, the court has been dealing with first trials of all administrative lawsuits in Shenzhen since June 30, 2015.

Yang said that the new center will help enhance efficiency in handling lawsuits thanks to its convenient location.

The collective handling of administrative proceedings from all across the city is a practice that Shenzhen piloted for the nation as early as 2015, according to the intermediate court. An integrated legal service for all administrative lawsuits from around the city largely enhances efficiency, according to Wan Guoying, head of Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court.

The courts in Shenzhen have been pioneers in carrying out judiciary reforms for Guangdong Province, said Hong Shiquan, deputy president of Guangdong Higher People’s Court. Hong  commended the Shenzhen courts’ efforts and innovations in streamlining trial procedures with smart solutions.

He also mentioned that dealing with administrative lawsuits is key to ensuring stability, as residents will be able to file lawsuits against government institutions and protect their rights.

Shenzhen’s exploration of the administrative lawsuit system has also won recognition from the Supreme People’s Court. A special committee member of the supreme court, He Xiaorong, said that Shenzhen has been leading China’s judiciary reform and establishing good models for other cities. (Zhang Qian)