Song Yushui is a judge at the people's court in Beijing's Haidian district.

For about 15 years, Song Yushui has dealt with cases ranging from issues of civil disputes to business conflicts and to intellectual property rights violations. Many of her cases were high-profiled, and have become classic in China's judicial circles.

"Law makes people feel warm. As a judge, I sincerely hope that the two sides involved in the cases can shake hands in the court at the end. "

Several years ago, Beijing citizen Liu Lanchun found his photographic works were being used by a media group without his authorization. He sued the group and asked for compensation.

"I asked for 300,000 as I filed the lawsuit, but the defendant wanted to pay no more than 10,000. There was a big gap."

Song Yushui was the judge for that case. She listened carefully to the plaintiff and the defendant before making any judgement. Li Yue was the authorized attorney for the defendant.

"She spoke very gently, as well as reasonably. And she could well control the process of the trial. Most of the time she listened to us. When I walked out of the court, it was already seven o'clock in the evening."

Liu Ming is the attorney for the plaintiff.

"I felt the judge was like a relative or a good neighbor, who was trying to resolve a family dispute. We could feel her respect for the parties involved. And we could also feel the uprightness of the law."

Song Yushui's patient and approachable methods of mediation moved both sides. They reached an agreement in the end. However, the judge said this is not her ultimate goal.

"The goal of a judge is not intermediation or issuing a verdict; it is to help the people involved in the lawsuits to understand and abide by the law in a sincere manner."

During her entire tenure, Song Yushui has presided over 2000 cases.

According to statistics from the people's court of Haidian District, 70 per cent of the cases handled by Song Yushui have successfully reached an intermediation. For judges, intermediating is a vital skill which is hard to master.

Song Yushui has won numerous awards and titles, including National Exemplar Judge, and one of the Top 10 Outstanding Young Judges. In her mind, she is an ordinary person, like everyone else.

As an elected deputy to the 17th CPC National Congress, Song Yushui says she'd like to play a due role.

"As a representative from the judiciary system, I would like to step into the venue of the Party congress with the voice of the people and society. I like to see that justice in our society be served. This is my responsibility and ultimate aim as a delegate to the Party congress."

With judges like Song Yushui, we have every reason to believe that our society will be more harmonious and peaceful. Thank you shuangfeng for the story, and China Horizons will be back in a moment.

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