By love-89.com In an interview conducted on October 14, 2023, we explored an intriguing phenomenon in Yongzhou, Hunan, where a dedicated group of retired legal professionals and community members actively engage in grassroots conflict resolution. This initiative emphasizes the age-old saying, “Distant relatives are not as helpful as close neighbors, and close neighbors are not as valuable as trusted local elders.”
The focus of our visit was the innovative “Five Elders” + “Good Neighbors” mediation mechanism established in Yongzhou. We aimed to understand how this approach promotes conflict resolution at the local level.
At the Lanjiaoshan Court in the Cold Water Beach District, we met He Fang, a seasoned legal mediator from the “Five Elders” team. Before his retirement, He worked extensively in the Cold Water Beach District Court, where he amassed valuable legal experience. In this economically vibrant area of Yongzhou, He specializes in mediating civil disputes, particularly those related to financial loans and rental agreements.
“Both mediation and court rulings carry legal weight, but mediation is less formal,” He explained. “By using persuasion and empathy, we help parties understand the legal frameworks at play, allowing for smoother resolutions.” His approach involves breaking down legal jargon into understandable terms while addressing the emotional aspects of disputes.
Yongzhou has made significant strides in conflict mediation since the establishment of this program. Led by the local Party Committee’s Political and Legal Affairs Commission, the initiative has recruited over 1,100 retired judges, prosecutors, police officers, legal administrators, and lawyers to form 16 mediation teams at both city and county levels. Additionally, approximately 16,260 community members, including retired teachers and grassroots leaders, have joined as “Good Neighbors” mediators.
Since November 2021, Yongzhou has handled 49,511 conflict cases, successfully resolving 48,038 of them, resulting in a remarkable mediation success rate of 96.95%. Specifically, the “Five Elders” have managed 25,286 disputes, achieving an 84% resolution rate.
During our visit to the Huayuan Fudi community, we witnessed a mediation session involving a neighbor dispute triggered by a water leak. The affected resident, Yang Huawen, expressed that previous attempts to resolve the issue had been futile, prompting him to seek the assistance of the “Five Elders” and “Good Neighbors.”
Mediator Zhang Aihua emphasized the importance of understanding the underlying issues, investigating the facts, and clarifying the legal responsibilities of each party. “The key is to let people voice their concerns and find common ground,” he said. “Ultimately, they want closure and a clear resolution, as maintaining good relations is paramount.”
Yang Huawen remarked on the professionalism of the “Five Elders,” noting, “They are more knowledgeable and authoritative than property management, and their legal expertise greatly aids in resolving neighborhood conflicts.”
The “Five Elders” have experience in both legal matters and community relations, allowing them to integrate multiple approaches to mediation—community-level, administrative, and judicial.
In one notable case in Shuangpai County, a tragic incident involving a construction accident drew hundreds of relatives to the local petition center. The “Five Elders” successfully organized a mediation effort that resulted in an agreement for the homeowner to pay 50,000 yuan for funeral expenses, thus preventing a potential public unrest.
To sustain their mediation efforts, Yongzhou has established strong organizational support. A leadership team oversees the work of the “Five Elders,” developing evaluation measures and conducting over 90 training sessions to enhance mediators’ skills. As part of their compensation, mediators receive a base salary along with additional fees for each successful case.
Moreover, the community regularly recognizes outstanding mediators and organizations, providing them with health checks and insurance coverage, reflecting a deep appreciation for their contributions.
The “Five Elders” + “Good Neighbors” mediation framework has successfully diffused numerous conflicts, earning public acclaim. In recent years, Yongzhou has seen a significant drop in criminal cases related to disputes and consistently ranks high in public safety surveys within Hunan Province. The mechanism was even recognized as a model for legal governance initiatives.
As we conclude our visit, it’s clear that the “Five Elders” + “Good Neighbors” approach not only resolves disputes but also fosters community harmony, paving the way for a more peaceful social environment.