Online court trial becomes popular in Yantai amid epidemic

An online court trial wrapped up in Laizhou, a county-level city in Yantai, on Feb 3 in the wake of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, officials said.

No plaintiff, defendant or agent was required to be present at the Laizhou people’s court on Feb 3. Instead, the court heard the case via a group video call in an attempt to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The case, concerning loan disputes, wrapped up in less than 60 minutes.

After the trial, court authorities will send the legal documents to all involved parties by mail.

This is the first online trial held in Yantai since the outbreak. The Laizhou municipal people’s court launched its first online court in October, 2019.

In February, 2020, the Mouping district people's court used the online system to hear its first criminal case in Yantai.

Ten courts in the city have launched online court trials amid the epidemic in order to save time and reduce the chances of infection.