【中國日報】退休法官：“銀發調解”顯身手

Guo Wenxia (center), a retired judge, mediates a family case dispute at the Xicheng District People's Court in Beijing.

退休法官郭文霞（中）在北京西城區人民法院調解一起家事糾紛。

Braving snow and cold in Beijing, two groups of people traveled to the Chaoyang District People's Court in December to thank retired judge Hou Chunying, 71, after she helped them settle a 37-year-old heating fee dispute in just one month of mediation.

時值隆冬，北京寒意襲人、雪花紛飛。12月，兩家企業的代理人專程來到朝陽區人民法院，向71歲的退休法官侯純英致謝。此前，侯純英僅用一個月的調解時間，便圓滿解決了一起長達37年的供暖欠費糾紛。

The conflict began when a heating center recently took 48 households to court, seeking payment of more than 1 million yuan ($142,000) in overdue heating fees dating back to 1987, along with a 504,000 yuan penalty. All the householders were former radio factory employees who had unpaid bills due to outdated accounting methods, differing opinions, and the company's financial difficulties.

這起糾紛起源于1987年，近期一家供暖企業將48戶居民訴至法院，索要拖欠的100余萬元供暖費，以及50.4萬元的違約金。這些住戶曾為某無線電廠的職工，因該無線電廠過去核算方式陳舊、各方意見分歧，再加上企業經營困難等原因，導致這筆陳年欠費至今未還。

During her discussions with the householders, Hou discovered there was an agreement between the heating provider and the factory. "I felt direct negotiation between the two sides would resolve this historical dispute more efficiently than taking legal action against these residents with different circumstances," she said.

在與住戶溝通的過程中，侯純英發現，供暖企業與無線電廠曾簽訂過相關協議。她表示：“相較于對情況各異的居民直接提起訴訟，推動兩家企業協商溝通，才是高效解決這起歷史遺留糾紛的辦法。”

Hou communicated with both parties separately, calling on the factory to fulfill its social responsibility and suggesting that the heating center reduce the debt due to the factory's financial burdens. Thanks to her efforts, the factory ultimately agreed to make a one-time payment of 700,000 yuan to cover the fees.

此后，侯純英分別與雙方反復溝通協調，一方面督促無線電廠主動履行社會責任，另一方面建議供暖企業考慮無線電廠實際經營壓力，適當減免相關費用。在她的不懈努力下，無線電廠最終同意以70萬元一次性結清欠費。

With over 30 years on the bench, Hou is part of a rising corps of retired judges who serve as mediators across China. Recognizing them as a valuable legal asset, the Supreme People's Court, the nation's top court, has encouraged their greater involvement in dispute resolution, drawing on their legal expertise and wealth of experience in handling cases.

擁有30余年審判工作經驗的侯純英，是全國日益壯大的退休法官調解員隊伍中的一員。最高人民法院把退休法官看作是寶貴的司法資源，鼓勵退休法官充分發揮專業法律素養和豐富辦案經驗，積極參與矛盾糾紛化解工作。

For Hou and her fellow retired judges, returning to work not only gives them a fresh opportunity to find meaning again, but also helps courts tackle rising caseloads, ease the burden on sitting judges, strengthen grassroots governance, and foster a stronger rule of law culture.

對于侯純英及其他退休法官而言，重返調解一線，不僅能重塑自我價值，更有效緩解法院案件增長壓力、減輕在崗法官辦案負擔，同時為夯實基層治理根基、培育濃厚法治文化貢獻重要力量。

Retired judge Hou Chunying (right) talks with company representatives who came to express their gratitude on Dec 19 after she helped them settle a 37-year-old heating fee dispute in Beijing.

12月19日，退休法官侯純英（右）在北京與前來表達感激的公司代表交談，此前她幫助他們解決了一場37年前的供暖欠費糾紛。

Finding meaning again

退休法官重塑自我價值

Guo Wenxia, 65, devoted most of her working life to the Huairou District People's Court in Beijing, where she mainly handled domestic cases, including divorce and inheritance issues. The intense pressure took its toll, and in 2002 she accepted early retirement for health issues.

今年65歲的郭文霞，職業生涯的大部分時光都奉獻給了北京市懷柔區人民法院，主要審理離婚、繼承等家事案件。長期高強度的工作讓她的身體不堪重負，2002年，她因健康原因辦理了提前退休手續。

After leaving the bench, she spent time recovering, traveling with her family, and enjoying a quieter life. However, in just a few years, she began to feel a sense of loss and thought she should do something, so she helped review contracts and provided legal consulting. "But I still felt something was missing," she said.

離開審判崗位后，郭文霞安心調養身體，與家人相伴出游，過上了清閑的退休生活。但沒過幾年，她便漸漸感到空虛，總覺得應該再做些有意義的事。于是，她開始幫人審核合同、提供法律咨詢?？伤寡裕骸凹幢闳绱?，心里還是覺得少了點什么。”

Her professional instincts kept drawing her attention to family cases she saw on television and in newspapers.

職業本能讓她格外關注電視、報紙上報道的各類家事糾紛案件。

"I couldn't help wondering how those disputes were resolved or what the latest laws said. I realized how deeply attached I am to the court, and my desire to keep learning the law never went away," she said.

“我總會忍不住琢磨，這些糾紛最后是怎么解決的？相關的最新法律規定是什么？那一刻我才意識到，自己對法院的這份牽掛從未放下，鉆研法律的熱情也從未消減?！?/strong>郭文霞說。

In 2022, after seeing a recruitment post on a WeChat mini-program for mediators at the Xicheng District People's Court, she submitted her application and returned to work, using her legal expertise to assist judges in mediating family-related disputes.

2022年，在看到西城區人民法院通過微信小程序發布的調解員招募公告后，她立即遞交了申請，重新回到司法工作崗位，憑借扎實的法律專業知識，協助法官調解各類家事糾紛。

"Resolving disputes for people gives me a stronger sense of fulfillment and happiness. I'm back in a busy work situation and I've found meaning again," she said.

“為群眾化解矛盾糾紛，讓我收獲了前所未有的成就感和幸福感。如今重新忙碌起來，我也找回了人生的意義?！彼锌?。

Guo said rapid social and economic changes have brought new types of cases, and pushed her to keep learning and stay connected so she can tackle legal challenges with confidence.

郭文霞表示，社會經濟的快速發展催生了許多新型案件，這也要求她必須不斷學習、與時俱進，才能從容應對各類法律難題。

Hou said she felt much the same in the early years after leaving the bench.

侯純英表示，早年退休后，她也有相同的心境。

"I knew the stress of handling cases and the anxiety of meeting deadlines all too well. So at first, I had no intention of going back," she explained. It was repeated invitations from the Chaoyang court that persuaded her to drop by, mostly to reconnect with former colleagues.

“我太清楚辦案的壓力和結案期限帶來的焦慮了，所以剛退休那會兒，我根本沒想過再回來工作?！焙罴冇⑻寡?。后來，在朝陽區人民法院的再三邀請下，她才抱著和老同事敘舊的想法，偶爾到法院走走。

"When I retired, I closed the final chapter," she said.

“退休的時候，我以為自己的職業生涯已經畫上了句號?！焙罴冇⒄f。

"But when I saw my colleagues and heard about the cases they were handling, it was like opening a new book — and once I did it, I couldn't put it down."

“可當我再次見到昔日并肩作戰的同事，聽著他們講述手頭辦理的案件時，就像翻開了一本全新的書——一旦讀進去，就再也放不下了?！?/strong>

In 2008, she began assisting sitting judges with mediation on community matters such as heating and property management. In December 2025, a "silver-haired" mediation team was established in the court, where she and 20 other retired judges use their decades of experience to help resolve civil disputes.

2008年起，侯純英開始協助在崗法官調解供暖、物業等社區民生糾紛。2025年12月，朝陽區成立“銀楓人民調解委員會”，侯純英與另外20名退休法官一道，運用數十年積累的辦案經驗，投身民事糾紛化解工作。

Guo Wenxia (right) exchanges her experience and techniques in case mediation with a mediator at the Xicheng District People's Court in Beijing.

郭文霞（右）在北京市西城區人民法院與調解員交流案件調解經驗和技巧。

Valuable legal asset

法院善用司法力量

In China, cases are generally treated as either simple or complex.

在我國的司法實踐中，案件通常分為簡單案件和復雜案件兩類。

If the facts are clear and the evidence is sufficient, judges will ask both parties whether they want mediation — an option that usually costs less and takes less time than a full trial.

對于事實清楚、證據充分的案件，法官會詢問雙方當事人是否愿意接受調解。相較于完整的訴訟程序，調解不僅成本更低，耗時也更短。

If either party refuses or no agreement is reached, the case proceeds to litigation.

若一方當事人拒絕調解，或調解未能達成一致意見，案件將轉入訴訟程序審理。

Liu Haidong, president of the Chaoyang court, described its team of retired judges as its think tank for dispute resolution. In his view, their involvement boosts the public's trust and reassurance in the legal process.

朝陽區人民法院院長劉海東將該院的退休法官譽為化解糾紛的“智囊團”。在他看來，退休法官參與調解，極大增強了群眾對司法程序的信任度和認同感。

Wang Yue, an employee involved in the heating fee dispute, expressed her gratitude to Hou.

此次供暖欠費糾紛的當事人、無線電廠員工王悅（化名）對侯純英充滿感激。

"The retired judge's legal expertise let us pinpoint the core of the conflict right away, and both sides could accept within the law the solution she offered," Wang said. Because mediation is cheaper and faster than litigation it helped the factory keep running smoothly, she said.

“侯法官憑借專業的法律知識，一下子就找準了矛盾的核心，她提出的解決方案既合法合規，又能讓雙方都接受。”王悅表示，調解相比訴訟省時省錢，幫助企業平穩渡過了難關。

Liu praised the outcome of the case, and emphasized that retired judges bring deep legal knowledge and practical experience, which can promote mediation in areas such as marital and family disputes, labor issues, property management, real estate transactions, financial loans, and intellectual property disputes.

劉海東對這起案件的調解結果給予高度評價。他強調，退休法官憑借深厚的法律功底和豐富的實踐經驗，能夠在婚姻家事、勞動爭議、物業管理、房產交易、金融借貸、知識產權等多個領域，有效推動矛盾糾紛的調解化解。

Zhao Hai, a senior judge of the filing division at the Xicheng court, said that the legal background of retired judges makes mediation more professional and can ensure the quality of case handling.

西城區人民法院立案庭三級高級法官趙海表示，退休法官具備專業的法律背景，能讓調解工作更具專業性，切實保障辦案質量。

"A successful mediation means a case will not enter later litigation stages, which will ease the workload of sitting judges and free them to have more time to concentrate on complex legal issues and lawsuits," he said.

“一次成功的調解，意味著案件無需進入后續訴訟環節，這不僅能減輕在職法官的工作負擔，還能讓他們有更多精力專注于復雜疑難案件的審理工作?！壁w海說。

In Chinese culture elderly people are widely respected, and parties in conflict are often willing to listen to their advice, he added. "So retired judges are a valuable legal asset for both the courts and society," he said.

他補充道，在中國傳統文化中，長者向來備受尊重，矛盾雙方往往更愿意傾聽他們的意見建議?！皬倪@個角度來說，退休法官對法院和社會而言都是珍貴的司法資源?！?/p>

Data from the court showed that it has 107 mediators, including four retired judges, with the number expected to grow.

據統計，目前該院共有107名調解員，其中包含4名退休法官，未來這一數字還將持續增加。

Retired judges and mediators Chen Guiping (left) and Guo Wentong discuss strategies for effective dispute settlement for a local community on Dec 23.

12月23日，退休法官郭文彤（右）和調解員陳桂平（左）討論化解某社區糾紛的有效方法。

Greater interaction

調解加強司法為民

Li Li, a retired judge from the Wujiagang District People's Court in Yichang, Hubei province, started her mediation career in 2024.

2024年，湖北省宜昌市伍家崗區人民法院退休法官李莉成為了一名調解員。

Although her role has changed, she said her commitment to justice and her sense of responsibility in handling cases remained unchanged.

李莉表示，盡管身份角色發生了轉變，但她堅守公平正義的初心，以及辦理案件時的責任感，從未有過絲毫改變。

"As a judge, under the pressure of a case settlement deadline, I mostly approached litigants with little patience. As a mediator, I have more time to listen to their stories, difficulties and grievances," said Li.

“過去作為法官，受結案期限的壓力所迫，面對當事人時，耐心難免有所欠缺。如今成為調解員，我有了更充足的時間，去傾聽他們的心聲、了解他們的難處和委屈?！崩罾蛘f。

Guo said compared with judges — who are not allowed to give their personal phone numbers to litigants — mediators can make their contact details available to the public.

郭文霞也談到，法官出于工作規范要求，不得向當事人提供個人聯系方式，而與法官不同，調解員可以向當事人公開個人聯系方式。

"That gives me more time to understand more about the litigants and their thoughts, which is helpful to resolve their disputes at the root,"Guo said.

“這讓我能有更多時間深入了解當事人的真實想法，從根源上幫助他們化解矛盾糾紛?！惫南颊f。

Hou said she replies to text messages or takes calls from parties, even in the evening or on weekends.

即便是在夜晚或周末，只要接到當事人的電話、收到他們的短信，侯純英都會及時回復。

"Some people need to talk things through emotionally. Sometimes, once their feelings are expressed and frustrations aired, the disputes are more than halfway resolved," she said.

“有些當事人更需要的是一個情緒宣泄的出口。當他們把心里的委屈和不滿都說出來的時候，糾紛其實就已經解決了一大半?！焙罴冇⑸钣懈杏|地說。

Hou said when she was a judge, she had back-to-back hearings every day and simply didn't have the patience to sit through lengthy accounts of a party's complaints and thoughts. "Now, without the pressure of court sessions and case conclusion deadlines, I'm willing to get closer to litigants and spend more time helping deal with their problems," she said.

她回憶道，過去當法官時，每天排滿了庭審，幾乎沒有耐心聽完當事人的長篇傾訴?！艾F在沒有了開庭和結案的壓力，我更愿意主動走近當事人，花更多時間幫他們解決實際問題?！?/p>

All the retired judges underscored the importance of communicating with litigants, noting that it better enables them to figure out the root cause of their arguments. These exchanges also help enhance their legal awareness.

這些退休法官們都一致認為，與當事人的溝通至關重要。只有這樣，才能精準找到矛盾的癥結所在，同時也能借此機會提升群眾的法治意識。

Guo said becoming a mediator has given her more energy to visit residential areas, learn about property management companies and community committees, spot legal risks early, and promptly remind regulators to prevent unnecessary disputes.

郭文霞說，成為調解員后，她有更多精力走進社區，對接物業公司和居委會，提前排查潛在的法律風險，并及時提醒相關部門介入處理，從源頭上避免矛盾糾紛的發生。

Chen Guiping, a deputy to the Beijing People's Congress, said the participation of retired judges in dispute resolution has played a big role in standardizing the management of compounds and the promotion of law-based governance at the grassroots level.

北京市人大代表陳桂平表示，退休法官參與矛盾糾紛化解，不僅對規范社區管理起到了積極作用，更為基層依法治理工作的推進注入了強勁動力。

In addition to 21 retired judges, the silver-haired mediation team in Chaoyang has also attracted two retired community regulators to join their work, Chen said.

陳桂平介紹，朝陽區的“銀楓調解委員會”，除了21名退休法官外，還吸納了2名退休社區書記加入，進一步壯大了調解力量。

Liu, the president of the Chaoyang court, said with their judicial credibility and expertise, these silver-haired judges have served as a vital bridge between the courts, the public and community regulators. This innovation in dispute resolution will also strengthen legal education among residents and maintain social stability at grassroots level, Liu added.

劉海東表示，這些銀發法官憑借自身的司法公信力和專業能力，架起了法院、群眾與社區治理部門之間溝通的橋梁。這種糾紛化解模式的創新，不僅能強化居民的法治宣傳教育，更能為維護基層社會穩定筑牢堅實屏障。

來源：中國日報

記者：曹音

編輯：李斯坦