LookAtVietnam Bridge - The publication of the Supreme People’s Court’s verdicts for 2005-2006 would help make Vietnam’s judicial system more transparent, its deputy chief Dang Quang Phuong said on May 15.

He was speaking at the launch of the publication – printed in two volumes, covering decisions in fields ranging from civil to economic and criminal law – at the Melia Hotel.

Phuong said the court could make rulings in secret if information in the case affected national securities or if secrecy was requested by the people concerned, but that the decision to proceed in secret must be made public.

Six thousand copies are to be delivered to lower courts, intended to serve as a reference for judges to consult when facing similar situations.

The book could also help everyday citizens understand the judgement on a civil or economic case in advance of their involvement in a similar case, which should help reduce the court’s work, Phuong said.

More importantly, the book had a key role to play in building a legal environment for international trade, so that foreign investors can see the transparency of the judicial system, Phuong added.

United States Ambassador Michael Michalak praised the publication as another stride in Vietnam’s commitment to the international standards of legal governance, transparency and the independence of the judicial system.

The book’s preface says the publication of judgments is considered an international customary practice, historically and currently conducted in many countries. As required by the World Trade Organisation, of which Vietnam is a member, court rulings must be publicised or made available for the public.

The book aims to produce a number of positive effects, such as supporting the requirement for the uniform application of laws by the courts, improving the quality of judgment, increasing citizens’ awareness of the standpoints of the courts in dealing with disputes and violations and providing vivid adjudicative practice to assist lawyers, researchers, lecturers and students in teaching and studying the law.

Following the successful publication of Volumes 1 and 2 of the Verdicts of the Justice Council of the Supreme People’s Court (2003-2004), the volumes aim to develop the rule of law.

Since 2002, USAID, through STAR-Vietnam, has provided technical assistance to the Supreme People’s Court, including publication of the decisions of the Judicial Council.

Phuong said they also expected to publish similar volumes of the judicial record for 2007.

(Source: VNA)