Chapter 195: Presiding Judge: Do you know what you are saying?

In divorce cases, there are instances where a plaintiff sues a defendant, only to be awarded just ten percent of the assets.

Of course, such cases weren’t particularly rare.

However, here in the Nanshan District Basic People’s Court…

Judge Wang Cheng had encountered a case that, for the first time in his life, he found utterly inconceivable.

‘Evidence endorsed by the police…’

‘Wait, this evidence is strong enough to get someone convicted in a criminal trial!’

‘Where did the plaintiff’s lawyer get this? He’s using evidence for a criminal conviction in a civil suit? It doesn’t make sense…’

In the deliberation room.

Judge Wang Cheng had a troubled expression. He looked at the evidence in his hands, a look of weary frustration on his face.

In a civil case, he was the only presiding judge, with no other judges, but there were two People’s Assessors.

“Getting the police to catch them in the act…”

People’s Assessor Xu Family looked at the evidence in his hands, the corner of his mouth twitching.

He was sixty years old, a retired cadre, and had been brought in by Wang Cheng to be an assessor for this case.

The other was a community director, Liu Guo, thirty-six years old.

“How did he manage that?” Liu Guo and Xu Family were completely baffled.

To get the police to catch them in the act, and then submit legally valid evidence from the police to fight a civil case…

The evidence submitted was more than enough for a criminal court; it could win a typical criminal case!

And the result?

“Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut?”

Liu Guo said tentatively.

Xu Family shook his head and said, “I think it’s more like using a cannon to shoot a mosquito.”

Finally, the presiding judge, Wang Cheng, sighed and said:

“In a purely civil case… from a governance perspective, you still have to give the wife a little something.”

“Forget an 80-20 split. No matter what, it should at least be 90-10.”

It sounded unreasonable.

But now, take a broader perspective.

If a woman’s assets are completely divided up, and she has trouble maintaining her livelihood with her remaining money, what do you call that?

You’re forcing a good woman into prostitution!

Unless there’s a truly egregious error, civil cases are rarely judged in absolutes. This holds true even if the man is the party at fault.

Of course.

“But Yang Chunping’s transgression… is a bit too severe.”

Liu Guo and Xu Family said.

Wang Cheng didn’t argue.

It really was severe.

Otherwise, why would he have said it was enough for a criminal case!?

No… it *is* evidence for a criminal case!

After that guy, Guo Tu, was taken to criminal court, Wang Cheng was 100% certain that the evidence submitted by the police was identical to what Xu De had submitted!

But that also raised a problem.

Yang Chunping was at fault, but she wasn’t the one who actually caused the harm.

Guo Tu was. In a sense, this exploited a loophole regarding ‘gross misconduct’. It was a situation that could be handled with discretion or judged strictly.

As for how to rule on the matter.

The three of them ultimately came to a consensus…

“Let’s see what her lawyer can do.”

“Maybe her lawyer can come up with a new angle for the defense.”

Liu Guo said.

The other two nodded.

It’s not easy to rule in absolutes in a civil case, but no matter what… you still need a reason not to!

Since the other party has a lawyer, no matter how bad they are, surely they can at least fight for twenty percent of the assets, right?

It wouldn’t make sense otherwise.

“It’s time. Let’s start the hearing and see how her lawyer performs.”

Wang Cheng looked up at the clock.

Then, he headed toward Courtroom Number Three.

The two People’s Assessors followed him.

「A short while later.」

The three of them stood at the entrance to Courtroom Number Three.

Seeing them, two bailiffs quickly opened the door.

“CREAK~”

The door opened, revealing the solemn courtroom before them. Inside, everyone had already risen to await the judge’s arrival.

“CLACK CLACK CLACK…”

Wang Cheng ascended to the highest point of the dais and took his seat at the bench.

He glanced from side to side.

On the plaintiff’s side, Xu De and Lin Yue sat with calm expressions, while Wang Yu’s face looked a little complicated.

On the defendant’s side.

Yang Chunping and Sun Li were grinding their teeth, their gazes hostile.

‘So confident? Looks like they’ve found a reason to rebut the plaintiff.’

Wang Cheng thought to himself, letting out a small sigh of relief.

He gathered his thoughts, and after a moment of silence, suddenly spoke:

“Verifying the identities of the parties. Plaintiff, Wang Yu, male, born… represented by counsel from Houde Law Firm. Are the plaintiff and his representative present?”

From the plaintiff’s side, Lin Yue spoke:

“The representative and the plaintiff are present.”

“And the defendant’s side?”

Presiding Judge Wang Cheng turned to look at the defendant’s table.

Sun Li held her head high and said, “The defendant’s side is ready. All parties are present.”

Upon hearing this, Presiding Judge Wang Cheng no longer hesitated and gripped the gavel.

“BANG!”

“Court begins!”

The sharp sound echoed back and forth in the spacious Courtroom Number Three.

Court begins!

The two clear words jolted everyone present.

Everyone in the courtroom straightened up, holding their breath in concentration.

Presiding Judge Wang Cheng did not hesitate and spoke again:

“Now, will the plaintiff please state your claims, the facts, and the reasons for this lawsuit.”

At the plaintiff’s table.

Lin Yue stood up, picked up the documents in her hand, and began to speak:

“Your Honor, People’s Assessors.”

“The plaintiff, Wang Yu, has suffered from his wife’s infidelity and emotional distress during their marriage… The marital bond between the two parties has broken down and is beyond repair.”

“Currently, regarding the matter of divorce, due to unresolved disputes over the division of property and child custody, we have filed this lawsuit.”

“Our client’s claims are as follows…”

As she spoke,

A strange, sharp light flashed in Lin Yue’s eyes as she spat out the words.

“That his wife, Yang Chunping, leave the marriage with nothing, and that her legal custody of their child, Wang Xiaoyu, be terminated!”

‘Leave with nothing? And the child goes to Wang Yu!’

‘They didn’t ask for child support, though… which makes sense. In a high-income situation, the judge wouldn’t bother ordering the low-income party to pay it. Xu De wouldn’t do something so pointless.’

Presiding Judge Wang Cheng didn’t pay it any mind either.