New court rules to boost lawyers' role and dignity

Courts in China are required to establish procedures that focus on judgments and improved treatment of lawyers and respect of their legitimate rights, China's top court said on Wednesday.

Every judge is required to give more respect to lawyers' defenses and opinions, ensuring that attorneys can fulfill their roles during trials when judges hand down verdicts, according to a reform plan made by the Supreme People's Court.

The plan, which has been expected since the central government announced the judicial reform in November, aims to provide a guideline for Chinese courts' routine work in the next five years and requires every court to fully guarantee lawyers' rights in both civil and criminal trials.