On 22 August 2013, a series of cases went to trial by Guangzhou Maritime Court by applying small claims procedure. This was the first time the Court applied the procedure since the amended Civil Procedure Law came into force. Besides the plaintiff parties, four deputies to the Municipal People’s Congress also attended the trial.
The cases arose as a ship owner defaulted on payments and consequently the port detained over 400 containers of cargo which was to be unloaded or carried by the ship owner. More than 30 logistics companies requested the port to release the cargos first to reduce losses but the port requested the logistics companies to provide guarantees before taking delivery of the cargos. As there were a number of parties involved in the disputes with various claims, no consensus had been reached through repeated negotiation. The Guangzhou Maritime Court applied the small claims procedure to try these disputes and closed the cases by mediation at court. Small claims procedure is convenient and flexible. It simplifies and speeds up the settlement of disputes, and enhances the quality and efficiency of trials.
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