Supreme Court to severely punish litigation brokers

China's Supreme People's Court (SPC) has called for severe punishment for court officers who act as litigation brokers.

A work plan promises "zero tolerance" for corruption in judicial matters, punishing all corrupt activities and officers, especially those who act as litigation brokers between judges and parties involved in cases, as well as officers who take advantage of hidden rules in the judicial system.

A guideline stresses that corruption prevention should be conducted in an appropriate way, including education in professional ethics and discipline of judges, improving the system of preventing corruption, promotion of a fair and clean judicial system, expanding judicial transparency and openness, strengthened supervision over leaders of courts and others.

The guideline urges courts to actively take part in anti-corruption coordination groups and consciously accept the Party's leadership in anti-corruption work, while strengthening international judicial cooperation on the issue.