On the morning of December 3, Judge Zhou Yimin of the Enforcement Disputes Division of Jiading District People's Court conducted a public hearing of a dispute over the confirmation of a labor relationship at the Jiading District Labor Dispute Circuit Trial Station. More than 20 observers attended the hearing, including officials from relevant departments of Anting Town, community social workers, and people's mediators.

The hearing centered on the key issue of "whether a labor relationship had been established". During the trial, Judge Zhou provided explanations of relevant labor arbitration rules in a timely manner, guiding relevant parties to develop reasonable expectations and ensuring the smooth conclusion of the hearing. After the hearing, Judge Zhou delivered a vivid legal outreach lecture titled "Determining the Labor Relationship Between Employers and Employees".

Beginning with the basic characteristics of labor relationships, and set against the backdrop of the evolving market economy and diversification of employment forms, Judge Zhou used plain language and real-life cases to explicitly explain the core rules and key factors applied in judicial practice when determining labor relationships. The lecture not only clarified legal standards but also offered concrete guidance on how both employers and employees can lawfully safeguard their rights and interests. In addition, Judge Zhou also introduced a series of innovative measures adopted by the Jiading District People's Court to support regional development and resolve labor disputes, demonstrating the judiciary's proactive role in safeguarding high-quality development.

Through the model of "circuit trials plus case-based legal education", the court leverages the "small entry point" of circuit hearings to address the "big picture" of grassroots governance, extending the impact from "hearing one case" to "educating a broader community and improving local governance". This represents a vivid example of judicial services reaching the grassroots level and empowering grassroots governance.

By bringing living legal practice to the front line, the circuit hearing received favorable feedback from on-site observers.

Zhu Chenchun

People's Mediator, An'ting Town Judicial Office

"Prevention is better than cure. Society must be guided to develop an awareness of standardized employment.

This circuit trial delivered a vivid rule-of-law classroom right to our doorstep, and I benefited greatly from it." During the hearing, Judge Zhou began with the essential characteristics of a labor relationship, scrutinized the evidence in a rigorous and in-depth manner, and presented clear, well-reasoned arguments that integrated legal principles with practical considerations, reflecting a firm commitment to substantive justice. The subsequent case-based legal explanation made it clear to me that determining a labor relationship requires a comprehensive assessment of substantive factors, such as employment management and the actual performance of work, rather than relying solely on a written contract. This not only acts as a caution for enterprises to standardize their employment practices, but also reminds workers to heighten their awareness of evidence collection, conveying the notion that "prevention is superior to cure". As a mediator, I will adopt the judge's mindset of seeing through formalities to grasp the essence, placing greater emphasis in mediation on uncovering the parties' real demands and the true nature of the relationship, so as to promote resolution of labor disputes in a flexible and amicable manner.

Zhou Xiajun

Fangtai Village Cadre in Charge of Labor Affairs

"It is important to sign contracts in accordance with the law and nip problems in the bud."

As a village cadre, observing this hearing left a deep impression on me. By bringing the courtroom to the grassroots level, the court not only resolved a dispute but also delivered a vivid legal education session. This is an authentic example of justice serving the people. Disputes over how to identify labor relationships are common in our daily scenarios. Rather than focusing solely on the written contract, Judge Zhou delved into actual work content, employer management practices, and other factual circumstances. This fact-based, reasoned approach was highly convincing. The judge's legal reminders were particularly practical: a labor contract is not the sole form of evidence while the actual employment relationship truly matters. Enterprises must standardize contract practices, and workers should also be mindful to preserve relevant evidence. This serves as a valuable reminder that, going forward, we should strengthen the rule-of-law publicity in our village, help residents enhance their awareness of rights protection, and guide enterprises toward compliant employment practices, striving to resolve conflicts early and while they are still minor. I hope that such down-to-earth circuit trials will continue to be held regularly at the grassroots level.