Episode 4 recap: Judicial reforms are underway in Lingjiang Province. Su Zhuo, representing the Environmental Protection Federation, has filed a lawsuit for compensation.
Judicial reforms are underway in Lingjiang Province. Su Zhuo, representing the Environmental Protection Federation, has filed a lawsuit for compensation.The High Court of Lingjiang Province is preparing to establish an Environmental Protection Trial Chamber. Director Jiang is strongly advocating for Luo Yuan and Geng Nian to be responsible for this area.
They want to use this opportunity to innovate and reform the judicial system. However, there is no template to follow for this task. Director Qu instructed them to learn as they go. Geng Nian and Luo Yuan discussed this on their way, and Luo Yuan is very confident about it. On the other hand, Geng Nian, who has worked in grassroots courts for many years, is not very hopeful about this newly established Environmental Protection Chamber. Luo Yuan shared with Geng Nian the incident when he had considered resigning and feeling helpless because he wanted to do something but couldn't. Director Qu's words convinced him to stay. Director Qu said that it is only meaningful to identify problems if we can find solutions. Luo Yuan encouraged Geng Nian, saying that they should fight this battle together, and the two of them tightly held hands.
Xia Modong is collecting data intensively, and Luo Yuan and Geng Nian are also working day and night to gather information. They later submitted a large stack of documents to Tian, the director of the Intermediate Court. They proposed whether it is possible to investigate and collect evidence through environmental organizations in society, instead of relying on the plaintiff to present evidence. However, Tian, the director, felt that it was not advisable to let environmental organizations engage in public interest litigation.
Director Qu convened a seminar, and Luo Yuan and Geng Nian presented their views on the benefits and impact of public interest organizations conducting investigations and collecting evidence. Director Qu, against the majority opinion, supported them. Luo Yuan and Geng Nian explained the relevant laws and regulations to Su Zhuo, who is a member of the federation. Su Zhuo was excited after hearing it. When Luo Yuan and Geng Nian came out, they happened to meet Xia Modong, who was giving Su Zhuo his investigation materials.
Geng Nian noticed that Luo Yuan was constantly looking at Xia Modong's figure and reminded him that he is the only middle-aged male youth left in the entire court system. Geng Nian suggested that Luo Yuan should try to develop a relationship with Xia Modong, as she has a good temperament. However, Luo Yuan felt that Geng Nian was meddling in his affairs. Xia Modong's investigation and monitoring data showed that the sampling data from the Qixingyun Sheng Chemical Plant matched with the data from the Fenghuang Xiangfa Group. Su Zhuo looked through the data and became excited. She called her assistant, Ning Ni, and asked her to come back quickly to organize the information. Su Zhuo excitedly hugged Xia Modong and said it was the happiest day for her this year.
Su Zhuo came to visit Yang Yimu. He now works as a security guard during the day and as a designated driver at night, while his wife Aiping does temporary work. This way, they can make ends meet. Su Zhuo said she would keep an eye out for a higher-paying job for him. Yang Yimu expressed gratitude that the case is over, yet Su Zhuo is still concerned about him.
Su Zhuo said the case is not over. This time, we are going to sue the Fenghuang Xiangfa Group and hold them accountable for environmental pollution. Xia Modong went to the library near the school to buy books and happened to meet Luo Yuan there. The books they bought were quite interesting. Luo Yuan bought a book on ecology, while Xia Modong bought one about visible justice. They couldn't help but smile at each other.
The chairman of the Fenghuang Xiangfa Group was angrily holding the court summons and went to find the group's legal advisor, Feng Xuewen. However, Feng Xuewen said they had run out of tricks. Now they are facing public interest litigation through Su Zhuo, a lawyer from the Environmental Protection Federation, which is not in line with judicial conventions. Su Zhuo, accompanied by Yang Yimu, submitted the complaint to Luo Yuan. Luo Yuan reminded them that if Su Zhuo is acting as the lawyer for public interest litigation, she cannot advocate for Yang Yimu's personal claims.
Upon learning that public interest litigation could lead to the complete closure of Yang Yunsheng's factory, Yang Yimu expressed his willingness to give up personal compensation for losses. However, he wanted Luo Yuan to guarantee that he wouldn't be disappointed again this time. Luo Yuan said he could only ensure judicial fairness. After thorough research, the Judicial Reform Committee of the High Court agreed to recognize the plaintiff qualification for public interest litigation, so the lawyer for the Fenghuang Xiangfa Group, Feng Xuewen, no longer questioned the plaintiff qualification.
Feng Xuewen and Director Qu were classmates, but they hadn't been in contact for a long time since Feng Xuewen became a lawyer. Seeing Director Qu personally coming to the Intermediate Court, Feng Xuewen quickly approached him and tried to get close, mentioning their old classmate Wen Ying's son, Luo Yuan, following in his mother's footsteps, which was truly gratifying. Director Qu was not willing to talk to him for long and excused himself, saying he had a meeting, and shook hands with Feng Xuewen to bid farewell.
Yuan Xiaoxiao, who adopted a nationally protected golden eagle, was sentenced to three years in prison, causing strong public opinion. Many journalists surrounded the court demanding interviews. Lin Hailan, the presiding judge, brought the case to seek advice from Director Qu. Luo Yuan decided to collaborate with Judge Lin to handle this case together.
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