Is justice merely an abstract concept or a craft honed through rigorous training? Here at the National Judges College in Beijing you will find the answer. This institution is not just a school. It is the heart of judicial education in China.
The National Judges College stands as a testament to China’s commitment to legal excellence. It is located in the Fengtai District of Beijing. This college serves as the primary training ground for judges in the People’s Republic of China. The Supreme People’s Court directly runs it.
Let us journey back to 1985. The college started as the National Court Cadres Spare-time Law University. Then in 1988 it evolved into the Chinese Senior Judges Training Center. Finally in 1997 it gained its current status as the National Judges College.
Originally the college was in Tongzhou District. It occupied 75 acres. It could train 300 people at once. In 2015 the college moved to a new campus in Fengtai District. Zhou Qiang the President of the Supreme People’s Court attended the opening ceremony. The new campus covers 248 acres. Its buildings span almost 60000 square meters. It can train 750 people simultaneously.
The National Judges College also serves as a hub for international exchange. It functions as the Supreme People’s Court Judges International Exchange Center. By the end of 2015 the college had established 25 branches nationwide. These branches include locations in Beijing Shanghai Jiangsu and Hainan. There were also eight branches in preparation. These branches also serve as training centers for local judges.
Furthermore by the end of 2015 77 courts were recognized as on-site teaching bases for judge training. These courts included the Beijing First Intermediate People’s Court and the Tianjin First Intermediate People’s Court.
On September 30 2016 the Supreme People’s Court held an unveiling ceremony. This event launched the Supreme People’s Court Judicial Case Research Institute and the China Judicial Case Network. Zhou Qiang the President of the Supreme People’s Court attended and spoke at the event.
Several prominent figures have served as president of the National Judges College. They include Cao Jianming Zheng Chengliang and Huai Xiaofeng. Gao Xianghong Huang Yongwei Huang Wenjun and Sun Xiaoyong have also held the position.
The National Judges College continues to evolve. It adapts to the changing needs of China’s legal system. Its motto is “Advocating Morality Respecting Occupation Knowing the Law and Being Fair”. The college is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of judicial leaders.