Supreme People's Court says social conflict increasing

China’s courtrooms are expected to see a significant rise in the number of cases involving social conflict next year as more citizens become aware of their legal entitlements, state media reported, citing Wang Shengjun, president of the Supreme People’s Court. Wang said law courts will face more challenges in safeguarding people’s rights and balancing the interests of different groups. He highlighted labor disputes and issues associated with housing as two potential flashpoints. "Judges should take both the necessity of urbanization and development, and individuals’ rights into consideration when handling such cases," Wang sad. According to the Supreme People’s Court, China’s courts handled 295,000 labor dispute cases in 2008 and 318,000 in 2009. Meanwhile, forced demolitions and relocations continue to make headline news around the country. Wang encouraged judges from provincial courts to pay attention to public opinion and to respond promptly to questions from the public.