People who refuse to abide by civil court rulings in Beijing are to be barred from traveling overseas or buying houses and cars, a court official announced at a press conference yesterday in Beijing.

The measures, which come into effect later this year, are targeted at those who disobey court orders relating to matters including the non-payment of salaries, debt repayments, and compensation claims.

Up to 10,000 judgments, or 10 percent of the total made by Beijing courts over the last three years, were not executed or enforced, according to Tian Yuxi, chief judge of the Enforcement Tribunal of the Beijing High People's Court.

Ma Aidi, vice-president of the Beijing High People's Court, said: "Courts in Beijing have decided to establish these deterrents to manage those who refuse to execute judgments."

Other measures include barring people or companies from taking loans, setting up new enterprises or bidding for projects.

Also, the Supreme People's Court has decided to establish a unified information management system to monitor all of the judgments throughout China that are not enforced.

Last year, the Beijing High People's Court released a list to the media of 450 people and companies that were in default of judgments.

Courts have also offered rewards to those who provide clues on the whereabouts of people who have refused to abide by rulings.

According to Chinese law, those who do not abide by court orders can be taken into custody or fined.

However, Tian said that further punishment would be used more as a last resort. 

(China Daily January 13, 2006)