VietNamNet Bridge – The National Assembly yesterday, March 22, debated proposed amendments to the Law on Civil Procedures, with a majority of deputies recognising the need for the People's Procuracy to participate in all civil lawsuits to ensure that the parties and courts abide by the law.

HCM City deputy Ngo Minh Hong, Lang Son deputy Nguyen Minh Thuyet, and Ha Noi deputy Nguyen Ngoc Dao argued that the participation of the People's Procuracy would ensure the rule of law during trials and would ensure that the legitimate interests of both the citizens and the State were respected.

"With the present professional level and quality of our judges, it is imperative to have the participation of the procuracy during trials," said Dao. "But the procuracy will become involved in the trial only to make the court objective."

Supreme People's Procuracy director Tran Quoc Vuong supported the participation of the Procuracy in all civil trial courts.

Supreme People's Court chief judge Truong Hoa Binh also agreed with the proposal, but he expressed anxiety over the shortage of procuracy staff nationwide.

"With its control and supervisory role in all judicial activities, the People's Procuracy should participate in all civil proceedings," Binh said. "But, in my opinion, we have to consider which cases they need to become involved in."

The deputies also discussed proposed changes to the law regarding judicial appeals of administrative decisions, agreeing to the need to empower courts to nullify decisions by administrative offices that run counter to the law.

However, Vuong urged caution towards the proposal and asked the National Assembly to further consider the idea.

Regarding a proposed mechanism for courts to review or reconsider verdicts handed down by juries, a majority of the deputies asked the law drafting committee to be more specific. Under the existing law, a jury's decision is final, even if the case is later found to have been flawed.

"Such a mechanism will help the jury rectify its own errors," said Binh.

The draft Law on Civil Procedures is slated for approval by the National Assembly on March 29.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News