National Assembly discusses Resolution on organizing online court sessions

On the morning of October 24, under the direction of Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Khac Dinh, the National Assembly continued to discuss online the work reports of the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People's Procuracy; crime prevention and control and law violations; execution of judgments; corruption prevention and control in 2021; and the draft Resolution on organizing online court sessions.

Panorama of the 2nd Session, 15th National Assembly at Dien Hong Hall, National Assembly House on the afternoon of October 23. Photo: Quochoi.vn

The Resolution on organizing online court sessions stipulates the following basic contents: People's Courts organize online court sessions to try first instance and appeal criminal, civil and administrative cases with simple nature and circumstances; documents and evidence in case files are clear.

An online trial is a trial held in a courtroom, using electronic devices, linked together through the network environment, allowing defendants, victims, litigants, and other participants in the proceedings to attend the trial at another location decided by the Court, but still ensuring direct monitoring of images and sounds and participation in all proceedings and proceedings of the trial by word of mouth, direct, continuous, public proceedings, witnessed by the subjects at the same time.

The Resolution assigns the Supreme People's Court to preside over and coordinate with the Supreme People's Procuracy, the Ministry of Public Security and relevant agencies to detail and guide the organization of online court sessions.

If passed by the National Assembly, the Resolution will take effect from January 1, 2022.

Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court Nguyen Hoa Binh presented the Draft Resolution on organizing online court sessions on the afternoon of October 23. Photo: Quochoi.vn

Organizing online court sessions is to implement the Party's policy and orientation on proactively participating in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, prioritizing the transfer and strong application of new technologies in industries and fields.

The Resolution of the 13th National Congress of Delegates has determined to “…promote research, transfer, application of scientific and technological advances, innovation, especially achievements of the fourth industrial revolution, and national digital transformation…” in the coming time. This is an important political basis for the Supreme People’s Court to build an e-Court and organize online trials.

In addition, Vietnam participates in the Council of Chief Justices of Asia-Pacific countries, the Council of Chief Justices of ASEAN and has committed to completing the construction of an e-Court by 2025.

Currently, most courts in ASEAN countries have implemented online trials. Vietnam must also gradually implement this commitment to best serve the needs of the people and meet the requirements of international integration.

Nowadays, the rapid development of information technology brings many opportunities to improve operational efficiency and has been facilitating judicial activities. This is a global trend.

Delegates of Nghe An delegation attend the meeting at Nghe An bridge. Photo: Thanh Duy

In particular, in recent times, due to the complicated developments of the Covid-19 epidemic, a number of provinces and cities have had to apply social isolation measures. Therefore, the trial activities of the Court have also been affected; many cases have reached the deadline but cannot be brought to trial according to regulations; some cases have had their settlement period extended because the litigants, defendants, and accused are residing or being detained in epidemic areas and therefore cannot directly participate in the trial.

Therefore, applying online trials will contribute to bringing cases to trial within the time limit prescribed by law, promptly protecting human rights, legal and legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals, stabilizing social order and safety, and ensuring disease prevention and control work...

Delegate Hoang Thi Thu Hien - Vice President of Nghe An Provincial Women's Union attended the meeting at Nghe An bridge. Photo: Thanh Duy

At the discussion session this morning, regarding the content, delegates highly agreed on the necessity of organizing online court sessions; however, this is a new issue, there are opinions that there needs to be a roadmap and the implementation process needs to be amended and supplemented to ensure compliance with the legal basis and practice, thereby improving the effectiveness of the Resolution; resources to ensure implementation are also raised. In particular, delegates suggested that there should be documents guiding timely implementation if the Resolution is passed by the National Assembly because the implementation time is early 2022.

Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court Nguyen Hoa Binh also explained and clarified a number of issues raised by National Assembly deputies.