Judicial Reform in China: An American Perspective (New York)

China’s judiciary is a key component in furthering development of the rule of law throughout the country. In recent years, the educational and professional standards of judges and the quality of judicial opinions have been raised, yet much work remains to be done in order to improve the administration of the courts, ensure enforcement of laws and judgments, and remove corrupt influences from the courts. China often has turned to foreign court systems and experts for models and experience it can apply to this reform process.

Judge J. Clifford Wallace, who has been involved in legal exchanges with China for three decades, will share his perspective on the status of China’s judiciary and its outlook for the future. Judge Wallace was sworn in as a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of California in October 1970. He was elevated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in July 1972 and served as Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit from February 1991 to March 1996; he took senior status in April 1996. He received his JD from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a member of the National Committee.