The Ministry of Justice is mulling people's mediation legislation proposed by 167 deputies to the 10th National People's Congress (NPC) during its fourth session this March.

They suggested that relative departments of State Council should work to draft a law to regulate the people's mediation practice nationwide.

According to the proposal, the procedures of people's mediation system currently in use, review of mediation agreements, and the stimulative mechanism for reconciliation are not standardized yet, and agreements reached through mediation cannot be fulfilled on the involved parties' own initiative. Furthermore, the quality of mediation staff and financial support do not meet developmental needs. It is urged that a comprehensive law on mediation be enacted to regulate the practice.

Responding to the proposal, the Ministry of Justice is preparing people's mediation legislation and said that the people's mediation had made great process due to regulatory improvements.

According to NPC's Committee for Internal and Judicial Affairs which give its assent to this proposal, people's mediation system has played a pivotal role in settling civil disputes, maintaining social stability and guaranteeing and promoting economic development.

(China.org.cn by Li Shen, November 23, 2006)