Online archive enhances public's legal awareness

China's top court said on Wednesday that an online archive of prominent cases is helping standardize verdict practices while boosting the public's awareness on legal proceedings.

Created by the Supreme People's Court, the archive went live on Feb 27, 2024, to provide the public with a platform to search and read about landmark cases and rulings on hot topics such as cyberbullying, telecom fraud, domestic violence and justifiable defense.

As of Tuesday, the archive contained details of 5,040 cases, covering common criminal charges and frequently disputed legal issues, according to the court. About 43 percent of the cases involve civil matters, while nearly 38 percent are criminal matters, with the remainder related to administrative, enforcement and State compensation issues.

The archive has drawn more than 6 million visits so far, with over 1 million registered users from more than 120 countries, the court said.

"The archive has been playing a vital role in standardizing verdict-rendering practices, serving as an authorized reference for judges," the court said in a statement. "It has also become a channel for people from all walks of life to understand the law, facilitating global understanding of the Chinese judiciary."

Visitors to the archive, https://rmfyalk.court.gov.cn, can read case details, learn what laws were applied and why courts arrived at specific rulings. The court said it has instructed judges to clearly explain legal terms and the root causes of disputes when disclosing verdicts.

Among the cases featured is a high-profile ruling whereby a man was convicted and imprisoned for mentally abusing his ex-girlfriend. The court identified mental control as a form of maltreatment and clarified that individuals who live together for a period or start a relationship with the intent to marry should be considered family members under Chinese law.

The archive is also aiding grassroots governance. In Ning'an, Heilongjiang province, for example, the local court has integrated the archive into its governance center to provide legal guidance for mediators resolving disputes and educating the public.

To expand case types and enrich its sources, the archive includes cases provided not only by courts nationwide, but also by law firms, universities and even non-legal institutions, such as a middle school, the court said. All cases are reviewed by the top court for reference value before being uploaded.

As laws are adopted, abolished or amended, and as judicial interpretations are adjusted, the archive will continue to update its cases to ensure visitors can access the latest and most accurate legal information, the court added.