National Assembly deputies yesterday agreed that the Civil Code should be revised to better regulate changes that have taken place in the society since it was introduced nine years ago.

Justice Minister Ha Hung Cuong said that over the last nine years, the Civil Code has had positive impacts on the country's socio-economic development.

However, as the country enters a new development phase, it is necessary to revise the law so that it complies with the new Constitution, especially in the areas of human rights, citizens' rights; and helps improve the nation's socialist-oriented market economy, Cuong said.

He said that amendments being proposed to the Civil Code aimed to ensure a common legal ground for regulating social relations based on the principles of freedom, equality and voluntary compliance.

The revised law should better protect the rights of individuals and those with the status of legal persons in civil transactions, he added.

The adjustments and additions to the Civil Code also aim to recognise and guarantee the rights of individuals and organisations in civil society.

Furthermore, it would contribute to completing a legal framework for the nation's socialist-oriented market economy, as also stabilising the legal framework for national socio-economic development under the new constitution, Cuong said.

The draft revisions aim to create favourable conditions for promoting production and optimum use of all available resources in the society, he said.

The Civil Code should become an effective legal tool for developing democratic institutions in the society, he added.

The NA's Legal Committee expressed agreement with the Government on many points in the draft law.

After the law is discussed by NA deputies, it will be presented to the public from January 2015 until March 2015 to collect feedback on all its provisions.

People's Court

Also yesterday, the deputies discussed amendments to the Law on Organisation of People's Court.

Deputy Pham Hong Phong from Hau Giang Province and other deputies agreed with the draft law's provision that if needed, the court can co-operate with the People's Procuracy to gather more evidence on any case.

Phong said that the law should also clarify the responsibilities of the People's Procuracy in implementing the court's orders so as to avoid incorrect verdicts.

On the tenure of judges, deputy Dang Cong Ly from Binh Dinh Province suggested judges appointed to the People's Supreme Court are tenured for life. He argued that to be appointed to the position, the person must have many years of experience and his or her capacity well recognised.

Human rights

In the afternoon, deputies discussed the draft revised Law on Organisation of the People's Procuracy.

Deputy Ho Van Nam from Dong Nai Province said that the draft law would help enhance the responsibility of the People's Procuracy in protecting human rights, citizen rights and unearthing violations of judicial activities.

Regarding the competence of the inspection unit of the People's Surpreme Procuracy, deputy Pham Van Gon from HCM City and deputy Nguyen Thi Bich Nhiem from Yen Bai Province agreed that a draft law regulation to appoint a unit to inspect violations of judicial activities and judicial corruption, but said it should be extended to cover other crimes.

Many deputies agreed with a dralf law regulation that allows the People's Procuracy to prosecute a civil suit, saying that this would help the procuracy to fulfill its responsibilities in protecting human rights.

They also spent time discussing issues relating to the number of staff in the People's Procuracy, retirement ages - and other issues.

VNS/VNN