The Supreme People's Court of Vietnam is initiating significant changes within the nation's judicial framework by proposing to merge district people's courts (TAND) to form regional trial courts. This restructuring aims to streamline operations and increase the efficiency of the judiciary system across various regions.
According to the official document numbered 52 from the Supreme People's Court, the restructuring will be guided by criteria based on caseloads and geographical location. The proposal underlines the necessity for each court involved to merge with at least one adjacent district court, ensuring logistical convenience and accessibility for the public.
For urban centers such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the new criteria dictate substantial caseload thresholds; each district court within these metropolitan areas must handle at least 3,000 cases per year. For suburban areas, the requisite minimum is set at 1,000 cases annually, with rural districts expected to process 800 and mountainous regions 200 cases per year. These figures reflect the court's need to maintain sufficient operational capacity to meet the demands of local populations.
Thái Quang Hải, President of the People's Court of Can Tho City, stated, "Nine district courts within Can Tho are slated to merge, reducing them to four regional trial courts. This proposal is presently awaiting approval." The planned mergers include the consolidation of courts from various districts, aimed to centralize operations and improve judicial access for the localities involved.
The Supreme People's Court's initiative reflects broader governmental efforts to streamline the judicial apparatus under the political frameworks established by the Politburo. Specific resolutions, including Resolution 18-NQ/TW and conclusions from the 2025 National Assembly mandates, call for coherence and productivity within Vietnam's judicial structure.
The necessity for adjustments stems not only from administrative efficiency but also from the significant variances between urban and rural operational needs. The Supreme People's Court acknowledges these differences, particularly noting how mountainous areas often have lower population densities and fewer cases. Therefore, supplementary criteria based on distances were proposed, stipulating the maximum separation between court premises and the farthest area served should not exceed 50 kilometers.
For the islands, the restructuring outlines the absence of regional trial courts on each island. Instead, justices and staff will be deployed from nearby mainland locations to assist residents with lawsuits and legal inquiries on designated schedules, thereby preventing barriers to access for these remote communities.
Specific prioritization has been indicated for newly constructed or recently upgraded court facilities as part of investments made during the 2021-2025 public investment phase, ensuring modern and capable infrastructure supports the enhanced judicial functions.
This proposal reflects the Supreme People's Court's efforts not only to improve judicial efficiency but also to maintain accessibility for all citizens across varying geographic locales. By reorganizing the structure of district courts based on carefully defined criteria and practical logistical needs, Vietnam aims to adapt its judicial processes to modern requirements and the populace's demand for justice.
Concerns remain around how these changes will impact local communities and the speed at which they can access court services. By reducing the number of district courts, some fear the potential for increased caseloads per remaining court, which could lead to delays. Others argue it will lead to more concentrated resources and possibly more efficient handling of cases overall.
Nonetheless, the Supreme People's Court is committed to ensuring these changes are implemented thoughtfully, fostering improved court access and efficiency as part of Vietnam's judicial modernization efforts. The full necessity and processes surrounding this merger will continue to be monitored and reported as the situation evolves.