The Supreme People's Court Tuesday officially started an intensive training program for judges in western China to boost judicial competence there.

More than 70 judges from courts in nine economically advanced provinces and municipalities will begin giving lectures in two weeks to judges in more than 1,100 courts in 12 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in western China.

They will provide courses in criminal, civil and administrative issues over a one-year period to help their colleagues better apply legal knowledge.

While courts in China's coastal regions are benefiting from an economic boom and starting to attract high-caliber legal professionals, those in western China still struggle with rapidly increasing caseloads and less well-trained lawyers and judges.

"The lack of professionals, including law professionals, has become an imminent barrier for the development of western China," said Xiao Yang, president of the Supreme People's Court, during Tuesday's orientation for a two-week training seminar for the 70 judges-turned-teachers.

He admitted that many law school graduates wince at the thought of practicing their profession in the economically backward western areas. The program is the latest effort to boost the proficiency of western-based judges.

In the National Judges College, the nation's most important training ground for the judiciary, more than 300 presidents and chief judges from courts in western China have received training in the past three years, some enjoying exemption from or reduction in tuitions.

The Supreme People's Court told China Daily that training remains an important goal in the new five-year court reform program that is being drafted. The program will be implemented later this year.

(China Daily February 18, 2004)