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(qū)人民法院調(diào)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(shí)值隆冬，北京寒意襲人、雪花紛飛。12月，兩家企業(yè)的代理人專程來到朝陽區(qū)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(gè)月的調(diào)解時(shí)間，便圓滿解決了一起長達(dá)37年的供暖欠費(fèi)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 All the householders were former radio factory employees who had unpaid bills due to outdated accounting methods, differing opinions, and the company's financial difficulties.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(yè)將48戶居民訴至法院，索要拖欠的100余萬元供暖費(fèi)，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(yè)經(jīng)營困難等原因，導(dǎo)致這筆陳年欠費(fèi)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(fā)現(xiàn)，供暖企業(yè)與無線電廠曾簽訂過相關(guān)協(xié)議。她表示：“相較于對情況各異的居民直接提起訴訟，推動(dòng)兩家企業(yè)協(xié)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(fù)溝通協(xié)調(diào)，一方面督促無線電廠主動(dòng)履行社會(huì)責(zé)任，另一方面建議供暖企業(yè)考慮無線電廠實(shí)際經(jīng)營壓力，適當(dāng)減免相關(guān)費(fèi)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(jié)清欠費(fèi)。

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(jīng)驗(yàn)的侯純英，是全國日益壯大的退休法官調(diào)解員隊(duì)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(lì)退休法官充分發(fā)揮專業(yè)法律素養(yǎng)和豐富辦案經(jīng)驗(yàn)，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(diào)解一線，不僅能重塑自我價(jià)值，更有效緩解法院案件增長壓力、減輕在崗法官辦案負(fù)擔(dān)，同時(shí)為夯實(shí)基層治理根基、培育濃厚法治文化貢獻(xiàn)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(dá)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(fèi)糾紛。

Finding meaning again

退休法官重塑自我價(jià)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(yè)生涯的大部分時(shí)光都奉獻(xiàn)給了北京市懷柔區(qū)人民法院，主要審理離婚、繼承等家事案件。長期高強(qiáng)度的工作讓她的身體不堪重負(fù)，2002年，她因健康原因辦理了提前退休手續(xù)。

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(diào)養(yǎng)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(yīng)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。可她坦言：“即便如此，心里還是覺得少了點(diǎn)什么�！�

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

職業(yè)本能讓她格外關(guān)注電視、報(bào)紙上報(bào)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(huì)忍不住琢磨，這些糾紛最后是怎么解決的？相關(guān)的最新法律規(guī)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�！�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(qū)人民法院通過微信小程序發(fā)布的調(diào)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(shí)的法律專業(yè)知識，協(xié)助法官調(diào)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馈�

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(huì)經(jīng)濟(jì)的快速發(fā)展催生了許多新型案件，這也要求她必須不斷學(xué)習(xí)、與時(shí)俱進(jìn)，才能從容應(yīng)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(jié)案期限帶來的焦慮了，所以剛退休那會(huì)兒，我根本沒想過再回來工作。”侯純英坦言。后來，在朝陽區(qū)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(shí)候，我以為自己的職業(yè)生涯已經(jīng)畫上了句號。”侯純英說。

"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(dāng)我再次見到昔日并肩作戰(zhàn)的同事，聽著他們講述手頭辦理的案件時(shí)，就像翻開了一本全新的書——一旦讀進(jìn)去，就再也放不下了�！�

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(xié)助在崗法官調(diào)解供暖、物業(yè)等社區(qū)民生糾紛。2025年12月，朝陽區(qū)成立“銀楓人民調(diào)解委員會(huì)”，侯純英與另外20名退休法官一道，運(yùn)用數(shù)十年積累的辦案經(jīng)驗(yàn)，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(qū)人民法院與調(diào)解員交流案件調(diào)解經(jīng)驗(yàn)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(shí)踐中，案件通常分為簡單案件和復(fù)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(shí)清楚、證據(jù)充分的案件，法官會(huì)詢問雙方當(dāng)事人是否愿意接受調(diào)解。相較于完整的訴訟程序，調(diào)解不僅成本更低，耗時(shí)也更短。

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

若一方當(dāng)事人拒絕調(diào)解，或調(diào)解未能達(dá)成一致意見，案件將轉(zhuǎn)入訴訟程序?qū)徖怼?/p>

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(qū)人民法院院長劉海東將該院的退休法官譽(yù)為化解糾紛的“智囊團(tuán)”。在他看來，退休法官參與調(diào)解，極大增強(qiáng)了群眾對司法程序的信任度和認(rèn)同感。

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

此次供暖欠費(fèi)糾紛的當(dāng)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(yè)的法律知識，一下子就找準(zhǔn)了矛盾的核心，她提出的解決方案既合法合規(guī)，又能讓雙方都接受。”王悅表示，調(diào)解相比訴訟省時(shí)省錢，幫助企業(yè)平穩(wěn)渡過了難關(guān)。

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(diào)解結(jié)果給予高度評價(jià)。他強(qiáng)調(diào)，退休法官憑借深厚的法律功底和豐富的實(shí)踐經(jīng)驗(yàn)，能夠在婚姻家事、勞動(dòng)爭議、物業(yè)管理、房產(chǎn)交易、金融借貸、知識產(chǎn)權(quán)等多個(gè)領(lǐng)域，有效推動(dòng)矛盾糾紛的調(diào)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(qū)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(yè)的法律背景，能讓調(diào)解工作更具專業(yè)性，切實(shí)保障辦案質(zhì)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(diào)解，意味著案件無需進(jìn)入后續(xù)訴訟環(huán)節(jié)，這不僅能減輕在職法官的工作負(fù)擔(dān)，還能讓他們有更多精力專注于復(fù)雜疑難案件的審理工作。”趙海說。

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(bǔ)充道，在中國傳統(tǒng)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(gè)角度來說，退休法官對法院和社會(huì)而言都是珍貴的司法資源。”

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

據(jù)統(tǒng)計(jì)，目前該院共有107名調(diào)解員，其中包含4名退休法官，未來這一數(shù)字還將持續(xù)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(diào)解員陳桂平（左）討論化解某社區(qū)糾紛的有效方法。

Greater interaction

調(diào)解加強(qiáng)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(qū)人民法院退休法官李莉成為了一名調(diào)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(fā)生了轉(zhuǎn)變，但她堅(jiān)守公平正義的初心，以及辦理案件時(shí)的責(zé)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(jié)案期限的壓力所迫，面對當(dāng)事人時(shí)，耐心難免有所欠缺。如今成為調(diào)解員，我有了更充足的時(shí)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(guī)范要求，不得向當(dāng)事人提供個(gè)人聯(lián)系方式，而與法官不同，調(diào)解員可以向當(dāng)事人公開個(gè)人聯(lián)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(shí)間深入了解當(dāng)事人的真實(shí)想法，從根源上幫助他們化解矛盾糾紛。”郭文霞說。

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(dāng)事人的電話、收到他們的短信，侯純英都會(huì)及時(shí)回復(fù)。

"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(dāng)事人更需要的是一個(gè)情緒宣泄的出口。當(dāng)他們把心里的委屈和不滿都說出來的時(shí)候，糾紛其實(shí)就已經(jīng)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(dāng)法官時(shí)，每天排滿了庭審，幾乎沒有耐心聽完當(dāng)事人的長篇傾訴�！艾F(xiàn)在沒有了開庭和結(jié)案的壓力，我更愿意主動(dòng)走近當(dāng)事人，花更多時(shí)間幫他們解決實(shí)際問題。”

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(rèn)為，與當(dāng)事人的溝通至關(guān)重要。只有這樣，才能精準(zhǔn)找到矛盾的癥結(jié)所在，同時(shí)也能借此機(jī)會(huì)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(diào)解員后，她有更多精力走進(jìn)社區(qū)，對接物業(yè)公司和居委會(huì)，提前排查潛在的法律風(fēng)險(xiǎn)，并及時(shí)提醒相關(guān)部門介入處理，從源頭上避免矛盾糾紛的發(fā)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(guī)范社區(qū)管理起到了積極作用，更為基層依法治理工作的推進(jìn)注入了強(qiáng)勁動(dòng)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(qū)的“銀楓調(diào)解委員會(huì)”，除了21名退休法官外，還吸納了2名退休社區(qū)書記加入，進(jìn)一步壯大了調(diào)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(fā)法官憑借自身的司法公信力和專業(yè)能力，架起了法院、群眾與社區(qū)治理部門之間溝通的橋梁。這種糾紛化解模式的創(chuàng)新，不僅能強(qiáng)化居民的法治宣傳教育，更能為維護(hù)基層社會(huì)穩(wěn)定筑牢堅(jiān)實(shí)屏障。

來源：中國日報(bào)

記者：曹音

編輯：李斯坦