Legal services in Xiong'an urged to improve

China's top court issued a guideline on Wednesday to increase judicial protection and improve the quality of legal services in solving disputes related to the Xiong'an New Area.

The guideline, released by the Supreme People's Court, orders courts at each level in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province to strengthen efforts against crimes that may influence development of the area to more effectively ensure regional stability and safety.

Civil lawsuits brought in the course of alleviating the capital's pressure of public services and constructing the area, including those on house demolition, land expropriation, contracts, employment and enterprise bankruptcy, should also be better solved, the guideline said.

It highlights the protection of intellectual property at the same time, aiming to build Xiong'an to be an IP protection demonstration area with innovative growth.

The quality of financial case hearings in the courts, such as those on fundraising and bond issues, were also ordered to improve to prevent financial risks, it said.

The top court also called for courts to deal with pollution and foreign-related disputes in Xiong'an, ordering them to implement the strictest rules of environmental protection in the area and ensure openness in development.

"We will support and offer help in building courts in the area as well as increase communication, judicial resource sharing in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region," an official with the top's research office said in a statement.