President Võ Văn Thưởng at the meeting with the Supreme People's Court on Monday. —VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — During a visit to the Supreme People's Court on Monday, President Võ Văn Thưởng emphasised the importance of fair, modern, and accessible judicial proceedings that uphold the rights of citizens and humanity.

Praising the recent achievements of the People’s Courts of all levels, the State leader emphasised that every judgement and decision of the court is of utmost importance.

According to the report presented at the meeting, the number of cases handled by the People’s Courts has risen by 6 per cent on average per year, with increasing complexity.

The quality of trials has been improved, with the percentage of judgments being cancelled or corrected due to subjective reasons kept at a minimal level, at 1.5 per cent.

In 2022, the number of cases accepted has increased by 29,900 compared to the previous year, with 89 per cent processed.

Technology has also been applied for virtual trials and improving the quality of judicial procedures, saving significant financial resources for the Government and receiving acclaim from the public.

Key cases of corruption and economic violations have also been promptly addressed with stringent actions, affirming the Party’s and the State’s determination to fight corruption.

However, the President also pointed out that there are shortcomings to be addressed, such as the percentage of judgements cancelled or corrected not meeting the National Assembly's requirements or the processing time for several cases being longer than the limit set in the law.

Acknowledging the complicated developments, as well as corruption and economic crimes, President Thưởng said that building a rule-of-law socialist state and judicial reforms requires better quality of judicial activities, especially in legal proceedings.

Reforms will ensure that the courts, according to their jurisdiction, are independent and only follow the laws.

The President also noted that the Supreme People’s Court needs to improve the adjudication quality, ensuring strict actions, objectivity, fairness, law compliance and prompt actions, especially the cases from the Central Steering Committee on anti-corruption and related to national security.

The quality of judgements and decisions must also be improved, ensuring clear and strict compliance with the laws, with a focus on recovering the assets acquired by crimes, especially the State’s properties.

President Thưởng said: “Each case brought to trial must not only be handled strictly according to the law but also conducted with the Party’s views and the national humane moral values.”

The State leader also requires better communication and explanation on the cases, how the laws are applied in proceedings, and the nature and level of violation in the specific case context, so that the people understand the court’s decisions.

This is also the basis for educating and raising people’s awareness of law compliance.

He also required better capacity of the judiciaries with good ethics, transparency, spirit and compassion with logical and insightful methods of working in the profession, especially in the context of international integration and science-technology development.

Investment in courts’ infrastructure and science-technology application is also expected to increase, with the priority on building an e-court system by 2025, improving the management and services of the courts on digital platforms.

President Thưởng added: “No matter the progress science and technology make, it will not replace the bravery, the brain and the heart of the judge or of the People’s Jury in legal proceedings, because the subject of the trial are humans.” — VNS