[governance-vn] Law: Court verdicts for 2005-2006 to be made public

[Vern Weitzel]

Subject: [vnnews-l] Law: Court verdicts for 2005-2006 to be made public
Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 23:05:31 -0700 (PDT)
sent to vnnews-l by Stephen Denney <sdenney at OCF.Berkeley.EDU>



http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/life/170508/life_co.htm

Last updated: 11:20 - May 27, 2008


Court verdicts for 2005-2006 to be made public


The publication of the Supreme People's Court's verdicts for 2005-2006
would help make Vietnam's judicial system more transparent, its deputy
chief Dang Quang Phuong said on May 15.
He was speaking at the launch of the publication - printed in two volumes,
covering decisions in fields ranging from civil to economic and criminal
law - at the Melia Hotel.
Phuong said the court could make rulings in secret if information in the
case affected national securities or if secrecy was requested by the
people concerned, but that the decision to proceed in secret must be made
public.
Six thousand copies are to be delivered to lower courts, intended to serve
as a reference for judges to consult when facing similar situations.
The book could also help everyday citizens understand the judgment on a
civil or economic case in advance of their involvement in a similar case,
which should help reduce the court's work, Phuong said.
More importantly, the book had a key role to play in building a legal
environment for international trade, so that foreign investors can see the
transparency of the judicial system, Phuong added.
US Ambassador Michael Michalak praised the publication as another stride
in Vietnam's commitment to the international standards of legal
governance, transparency and the independence of the judicial system.
The book's preface says the publication of judgments is considered an
international customary practice, historically and currently conducted in
many countries. As required by the World Trade Organisation, of which
Vietnam is a member, court rulings must be publicised or made available
for the public.
The book aims to produce a number of positive effects, such as supporting
the requirement for the uniform application of laws by the courts,
improving the quality of judgment, increasing citizens' awareness of the
standpoints of the courts in dealing with disputes and violations and
providing vivid adjudicative practice to assist lawyers, researchers,
lecturers and students in teaching and studying the law.
Following the successful publication of Volumes 1 and 2 of the Verdicts of
the Justice Council of the Supreme People's Court (2003-2004), the volumes
aim to develop the rule of law.
Since 2002, USAID, through STAR-Vietnam, has provided technical assistance
to the Supreme People's Court, including publication of the decisions of
the Judicial Council.
Phuong said they also expected to publish similar volumes of the judicial
record for 2007. (VNA)
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