In Dec. 17, 2015, it was reported that a judge conducted a trial using Tencent's popular mobile text and voice messaging service WeChat. (Photo : Reuters)
In Dec. 17, 2015, it was reported that a judge conducted a trial using Tencent's popular mobile text and voice messaging service WeChat.
The popular communication service, which was released in January 2011, is usually used by users to talk with friends or to buy tickets for movies; however, now, the service is also used by judges in China to conduct their trials.
The Times Of India Tech reported that in Dec. 17, 2015, a judge from Zhengzhou Intermediate People's Court in Henan Province conducted the first WeChat trial, wherein the said judge used the instant messaging apps' photo sharing and text abilities.
In addition, they may have use some of the app's abilities but the case did not use any video chat or any other funny Graphic Interchange Format (GIFs), which is typically not appropriate.
According to a staff member of the court Xue Yongsong, this facility will be a great help in solving some cases. The app will make any types of lawsuit much easier to solve in the future. The use of the instant messaging app will bring more flexibility and convenience for all the judges. It is said that solving cases via WeChat will also save both judges' and the defendant's time.
As per Tech in Asia, applying on court cases with this kind of apps may sound quiet weird, but it is not as awful as it seems. The entire case in court is conducted through an app which usually used to hail cab or summon a masseuse, sounds quiet unreal. But in China it is not as bizarre as people think.
It is said that the move of China courts to use apps in conducting trial cases is to only improve the quality of trial, as there are some parties who live in different cities and it'll take much time if all will be done through traditional trial.
According to Dan Harris, China's law experts and author of the China Low blog, the courts in the country focused on documents rather than live testimony. In the past, the courts allowed people to use their phone and testify through apps. It is said that the idea of using apps are more useful for conducting less controversial administrative cases.
China may have started conducting trials thru the messaging app, though, authorities has yet to release information regarding on cases gone through WeChat.
