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）在北京西城区人民法院调解一起家事纠纷。
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.
时值隆冬，北京寒意袭人、雪花纷飞。12月，两家企业的代理人专程来到朝阳区人民法院，向71岁的退休法官侯纯英致谢。此前，侯纯英仅用一个月的调解时间，便圆满解决了一起长达37年的供暖欠费纠纷。
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 All the householders were former radio factory employees who had unpaid bills due to outdated accounting methods, differing opinions, and the company's financial difficulties.
这起纠纷起源于1987年，近期一家供暖企业将48户居民诉至法院，索要拖欠的100余万元供暖费，以及50.4万元的违约金。这些住户曾为某无线电厂的职工，因该无线电厂过去核算方式陈旧、各方意见分歧，再加上企业经营困难等原因，导致这笔陈年欠费至今未还。
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.
在与住户沟通的过程中，侯纯英发现，供暖企业与无线电厂曾签订过相关协议。她表示：“相较于对情况各异的居民直接提起诉讼，推动两家企业协商沟通，才是高效解决这起历史遗留纠纷的办法。”
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，侯纯英分别与双方反复沟通协调，一方面督促无线电厂主动履行社会责任，另一方面建议供暖企业考虑无线电厂实际经营压力，适当减免相关费用。在她的不懈努力下，无线电厂最终同意以70万元一次性结清欠费。
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.
拥有30余年审判工作经验的侯纯英，是全国日益壮大的退休法官调解员队伍中的一员。最高人民法院把退休法官看作是宝贵的司法资源，鼓励退休法官充分发挥专业法律素养和丰富办案经验，积极参与矛盾纠纷化解工作。
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.
对于侯纯英及其他退休法官而言，重返调解一线，不仅能重塑自我价值，更有效缓解法院案件增长压力、减轻在岗法官办案负担，同时为夯实基层治理根基、培育浓厚法治文化贡献重要力量。
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，退休法官侯纯英（右）在北京与前来表达感激的公司代表交谈，此前她帮助他们解决了一场37年前的供暖欠费纠纷。
Finding meaning again
退休法官重塑自我价值
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岁的郭文霞，职业生涯的大部分时光都奉献给了北京市怀柔区人民法院，主要审理离婚、继承等家事案件。长期高强度的工作让她的身体不堪重负，2002年，她因健康原因办理了提前退休手续。
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.
离开审判岗位后，郭文霞安心调养身体，与家人相伴出游，过上了清闲的退休生活。但没过几年，她便渐渐感到空虚，总觉得应该再做些有意义的事。于是，她开始帮人审核合同、提供法律咨询。可她坦言：“即便如此，心里还是觉得少了点什么。”
Her professional instincts kept drawing her attention to family cases she saw on television and in newspapers.
职业本能让她格外关注电视、报纸上报道的各类家事纠纷案件。
"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.
“我总会忍不住琢磨，这些纠纷最后是怎么解决的？相关的最新法律规定是什么？那一刻我才意识到，自己对法院的这份牵挂从未放下，钻研法律的热情也从未消减。”郭文霞说。
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，在看到西城区人民法院通过微信小程序发布的调解员招募公告后，她立即递交了申请，重新回到司法工作岗位，凭借扎实的法律专业知识，协助法官调解各类家事纠纷。
"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.
“为群众化解矛盾纠纷，让我收获了前所未有的成就感和幸福感。如今重新忙碌起来，我也找回了人生的意义。”她感慨道。
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，社会经济的快速发展催生了许多新型案件，这也要求她必须不断学习、与时俱进，才能从容应对各类法律难题。
Hou said she felt much the same in the early years after leaving the bench.
侯纯英表示，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.
“我太清楚办案的压力和结案期限带来的焦虑了，所以刚退休那会儿，我根本没想过再回来工作。”侯纯英坦言。后来，在朝阳区人民法院的再三邀请下，她才抱着和老同事叙旧的想法，偶尔到法院走走。
"When I retired, I closed the final chapter," she said.
“退休的时候，我以为自己的职业生涯已经画上了句号。”侯纯英说。
"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."
“可当我再次见到昔日并肩作战的同事，听着他们讲述手头办理的案件时，就像翻开了一本全新的书——一旦读进去，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，侯纯英开始协助在岗法官调解供暖、物业等社区民生纠纷。2025年12月，朝阳区成立“银枫人民调解委员会”，侯纯英与另外20名退休法官一道，运用数十年积累的办案经验，投身民事纠纷化解工作。
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）在北京市西城区人民法院与调解员交流案件调解经验和技巧。
Valuable legal asset
法院善用司法力量
In China, cases are generally treated as either simple or complex.
在我国的司法实践中，案件通常分为简单案件和复杂案件两类。
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.
对于事实清楚、证据充分的案件，法官会询问双方当事人是否愿意接受调解。相较于完整的诉讼程序，调解不仅成本更低，耗时也更短。
If either party refuses or no agreement is reached, the case proceeds to litigation.
若一方当事人拒绝调解，或调解未能达成一致意见，案件将转入诉讼程序审理。
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.
朝阳区人民法院院长刘海东将该院的退休法官誉为化解纠纷的“智囊团”。在他看来，退休法官参与调解，极大增强了群众对司法程序的信任度和认同感。
Wang Yue, an employee involved in the heating fee dispute, expressed her gratitude to Hou.
此次供暖欠费纠纷的当事人、无线电厂员工王悦（化名）对侯纯英充满感激。
"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.
“侯法官凭借专业的法律知识，一下子就找准了矛盾的核心，她提出的解决方案既合法合规，又能让双方都接受。”王悦表示，调解相比诉讼省时省钱，帮助企业平稳渡过了难关。
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.
刘海东对这起案件的调解结果给予高度评价。他强调，退休法官凭借深厚的法律功底和丰富的实践经验，能够在婚姻家事、劳动争议、物业管理、房产交易、金融借贷、知识产权等多个领域，有效推动矛盾纠纷的调解化解。
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.
西城区人民法院立案庭三级高级法官赵海表示，退休法官具备专业的法律背景，能让调解工作更具专业性，切实保障办案质量。
"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.
“一次成功的调解，意味着案件无需进入后续诉讼环节，这不仅能减轻在职法官的工作负担，还能让他们有更多精力专注于复杂疑难案件的审理工作。”赵海说。
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.
他补充道，在中国传统文化中，长者向来备受尊重，矛盾双方往往更愿意倾听他们的意见建议。“从这个角度来说，退休法官对法院和社会而言都是珍贵的司法资源。”
Data from the court showed that it has 107 mediators, including four retired judges, with the number expected to grow.
据统计，目前该院共有107名调解员，其中包含4名退休法官，未来这一数字还将持续增加。
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）和调解员陈桂平（左）讨论化解某社区纠纷的有效方法。
Greater interaction
调解加强司法为民
Li Li, a retired judge from the Wujiagang District People's Court in Yichang, Hubei province, started her mediation career in 2024.
2024年，湖北省宜昌市伍家岗区人民法院退休法官李莉成为了一名调解员。
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，尽管身份角色发生了转变，但她坚守公平正义的初心，以及办理案件时的责任感，从未有过丝毫改变。
"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.
“过去作为法官，受结案期限的压力所迫，面对当事人时，耐心难免有所欠缺。如今成为调解员，我有了更充足的时间，去倾听他们的心声、了解他们的难处和委屈。”李莉说。
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.
郭文霞也谈到，法官出于工作规范要求，不得向当事人提供个人联系方式，而与法官不同，调解员可以向当事人公开个人联系方式。
"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.
“这让我能有更多时间深入了解当事人的真实想法，从根源上帮助他们化解矛盾纠纷。”郭文霞说。
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，只要接到当事人的电话、收到他们的短信，侯纯英都会及时回复。
"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.
“有些当事人更需要的是一个情绪宣泄的出口。当他们把心里的委屈和不满都说出来的时候，纠纷其实就已经解决了一大半。”侯纯英深有感触地说。
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.
她回忆道，过去当法官时，每天排满了庭审，几乎没有耐心听完当事人的长篇倾诉。“现在没有了开庭和结案的压力，我更愿意主动走近当事人，花更多时间帮他们解决实际问题。”
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.
这些退休法官们都一致认为，与当事人的沟通至关重要。只有这样，才能精准找到矛盾的症结所在，同时也能借此机会提升群众的法治意识。
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.
郭文霞说，成为调解员后，她有更多精力走进社区，对接物业公司和居委会，提前排查潜在的法律风险，并及时提醒相关部门介入处理，从源头上避免矛盾纠纷的发生。
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.
北京市人大代表陈桂平表示，退休法官参与矛盾纠纷化解，不仅对规范社区管理起到了积极作用，更为基层依法治理工作的推进注入了强劲动力。
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.
陈桂平介绍，朝阳区的“银枫调解委员会”，除了21名退休法官外，还吸纳了2名退休社区书记加入，进一步壮大了调解力量。
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.
刘海东表示，这些银发法官凭借自身的司法公信力和专业能力，架起了法院、群众与社区治理部门之间沟通的桥梁。这种纠纷化解模式的创新，不仅能强化居民的法治宣传教育，更能为维护基层社会稳定筑牢坚实屏障。
来源：中国日报
记者：曹音
编辑：李斯坦
热门跟贴