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Punishment of errant judges critical, People’s Council hears

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Judges who lack diligence in enforcing justice fairly or have been found to have issued verdicts without due
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reference to the facts of the case or notions of equality under the law must be punished accordingly, Vientiane
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People’s Council members have demanded.
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Council members said that for several years members of the public had complained that too many cases had
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been adjudged wrongly without due regard for the facts.
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Newspaper Despite this, judicial officers deemed
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responsible for errant decisions had still
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not been penalised as was their due
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under the Law on the People’s Court.

Webmaster Like any member of the public found guilty

Online Sub of a crime or misdemeanour, judicial
Online Adv officers must also receive the set
punishment if they have been found to
have infringed, a People’s Council
member told the Council’s 4th ordinary
session which opened on Wednesday.
He said that last year, out of about 23
cases judged, 30 percent had involved
erroneous decisions.
Of these, three cases were sent to the Supreme People’s Prosecutor of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor
Office to resolve because they were seen to lack justice or found to be adjudged incorrectly.
Improving the court’s performance and public confidence was necessary as increasing numbers of people seek
to access the judicial system for dispute resolution, he said.
In one case, the victims of wrong judgment were imprisoned for two to three years.
If there is no punishment for those responsible, the number of people wrongfully imprisoned would increase,
he said.
At present, too many people are struggling to access their rights under the law to protect and find justice for
themselves or their families because they have not received due consideration. Poorly performing judges
should be punished or even imprisoned if authorities discover that their verdicts are in breach of the relevant
laws or regulations.
They must be able to carry out their work effectively and the judicial system work to uphold rights as stipulated
by the law.
He expressed regret that errant judges had yet to be penalised.
President of the Vientiane People’s Court, Mr Sengsouvanh Chanthalounnavong, said it was admitted that
over a period of several years, too many cases had been poorly judged because there was not enough
information or evidence.
He said these cases saw verdicts issued without taking into account all the details.
Every time before the courts issued judgments, all relevant parties and their lawyers must be informed.
To address problems, he suggested the court provide advice directly to victims and attend the hearing of all
cases with which they are concerned.
On the same day, meeting participants reported on the progress achieved by state organisations under the
capital’s jurisdiction.
The council is reviewing the annual plans of the Supreme People’s Prosecutor of the Supreme People’s
Prosecutor Office as well as the capital’s Department of Planning and Investment.

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Vientiane Times http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_Puni...

During the four-day session, participants are reviewing documents including reports on the implementation of
the city’s 2017 socio-economic development plan and budget while plans for 2018 are also being discussed.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update January 12, 2018)

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