The Supreme People’s Court’s web portal was launched in Hanoi on April 22 in an effort to improve the performance and increase the transparency of the country’s judiciary.

The website at the address www.toaan.gov.vn was built with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Permanent Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court Dang Quang Phuong, US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael W. Michalak, USAID Chief Representative to Vietnam Francis Donovan and representatives from the Supreme People’s Procuracy, several embassies and international organisations attended the launching ceremony.

Phuong spoke highly of the website which is said to provide updated information on trials and activities of the judiciary, court verdicts and other useful legal information.

The website also includes important domestic social and economic news, a forum on judicial expertise and a section for questions and answers about laws and expressing opinions on draft legal documents.

The publication of the court’s decisions on the website is the first step in an effort to build a system of legal precedents in the country, Phuong said.

The website is a manifestation of effective cooperation between Vietnam and the US in increasing the capacity of the judiciary, said Michael W. Michalak while lauding the Supreme People’s Court’s decision to use the web portal as a channel to consult the public about legal documents which directly affect to the country’s socio-economic development.

This is an effective way to ensure transparency and openness in the country’s judiciary, said the Ambassador./.