This regulation, Circular 16/2026, issued by TAND Toi cao, takes effect from 1/10.
The regulation aims to facilitate public access to information and oversight of judicial activities. Courts at all levels must ensure all disclosed information is complete, accurate, timely, and transparent.
Categories of mandatory court disclosures
According to Article 5, mandatory disclosures fall into two main categories: information related to trials and case resolution, and information concerning other judicial administrative operations.
Under the category of trials and case resolution, courts must disclose details regarding: case acceptance; acceptance of administrative enforcement measures; decisions concerning the placement of drug addicts; and the recognition or non-recognition of successful mediation or dialogue outcomes in court.
Courts must also proactively disclose information on: the receipt and processing of petitions, requests, and recommendations for review under cassation and reopening procedures; trial information; court rules; and legally effective court judgments and decisions.
For other management and operation activities, courts are obligated to disclose: general information about their organizational structure; public reception activities; and judicial administrative procedures.
Additionally, information related to personnel organization, finance, inspection, commendation, international cooperation, and the activities of the Hoc vien Toa an must be made public.
Citizens may directly copy court documents
Disclosures will be made through various channels, including: posting on the electronic information portal, data portal, other digital platforms, mass media, physical notices at court headquarters, press conferences, press releases, and public reception sessions.
Citizens seeking information can submit requests directly at court headquarters, via postal service, or online through email, the electronic information portal, the National Public Service Portal, and mobile applications.
When requesting information in person at court headquarters, individuals are permitted to use mobile phones and other personal technical devices to copy, photograph, or download documents and files.
Courts are required to provide the requested information within a maximum of 12 days from the date a valid request is received.
Should any provided information be found incorrect or incomplete, courts must issue a correction and re-provide it within 5 working days if self-discovered, or within a maximum of 10 days upon receiving feedback from the requester.
Information not subject to disclosure
Courts will deny information requests that violate principles concerning national interest, state secrets, investigation secrets, work secrets, professional secrets, business secrets, privacy, personal or family secrets, personal data, or the protection of minors.
Requests will also be denied if the information has already been provided two times to the same individual without a valid reason, or if the request exceeds the court's capacity to fulfill, thereby impacting court operations.
By Hai Thu
