In the afternoon of 17 November 2016, the China-EU School of Law's (CESL) students taking the Chinese Criminal Law course visited the Changping District People's court. Guided by Prof. Yue Liling, the lecturer of the course, Chinese students and international students attended a criminal trial. Before the trial, Xue Chunjiang, the party secretary and acting president of the Changping District People's court welcomed professors and students. He praised the teaching methods of watching a real trial and discussed possible ways of further cooperation with Prof. Yue Liling.

At 2 p.m., the trial began with the solemn sound of the judge banging the gavel against its wooden striking base. The case was about an accused who was charged of having used violence to prevent officials from carrying out their duties. The criminal court collegial panel consists of three members: Du Jinxing as the presiding judge and Ai Qiujun and Dou Zhenli as the people’s assessors. The presiding judge is responsible for preparation before the trial, for the court’s investigation, for the cross-examination and the debates in court and also for the final statement of the accused in accordance with the law.

The facts of the crime were clear, the evidence was sufficient, and the accused confessed his crime and raised no objection against deciding in summary procedure. Thus, the case was closed rapidly.

With Prof. Yue Liling’s simultaneous interpretation, students listened carefully and learned a lot about Chinese Criminal Law and court procedures in real life. After the trial, Prof. Yue invited the president of the criminal court, Ou Chunguang, and the presiding judge of the case, Du Jinxing, to have a brief discussion with the students. They showed great interest and asked meaningful questions such as “What should be taken into account when sentencing a defendant?”, "How is the current situation of the application of the summary procedure?”, and “How does legal aid work in practice?”, etc. Prof. Yue Liling expressed her gratitude to the Changping District People’s court.

Students said this class was significant and had deepened their understanding both in the Chinese criminal theoretical knowledge and the application of China’s Criminal Law.

Text by Pu Jiadan (CESL double master’s student from the 2016 intake)
Photo by Tong Yao from the Changping District People’s court