Prosecutors have up to 60 days to deal with and respond to complaints from the public, according to a regulation issued by the top procuratorate over the weekend.

If the cases prove complicated, the period can be extended to 90 days with the approval of chief procurators, said the regulation from the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP).

Petitioners should be informed of the results in writing and can request a reconsideration if they are not satisfied, the regulation said.

The move marks the first time the top procuratorate has issued such a rule. The SPP said on its website that the goal was to clarify responsibilities, better protect petitioners and narrow the distance between procuratorial organs and the public.

Procuratorates are generally in charge of dealing with complaints about courts and procuratorates, work-related accusations against civil servants, public security departments and prisons and suggestions for prosecutors.

The regulation stipulates that the public can make a complaint to procuratorates via letters, faxes, e-mails or telephone calls. The complaints should be assigned to subordinate departments within seven days.

The public can also visit procurator-generals, who are required to hold hearings for petitioners at least 12 times a year for at least half day each time, according to the regulation.

To protect petitioners, the SPP made it clear that their personal information should be kept confidential. If it is necessary to contact petitioners via letters, the letters should be registered and sent in an envelope free of any signs that could suggest the letters are from procuratorial organs.

In addition, the regulations say those in charge of complaints would face penalties if they failed to handle the cases in time, abused their power, impaired the legal rights of petitioners or leaked information.

Source: China Daily