Chapter 6: The Trial Begins
Li Xuezhen found Su Bai's conduct somewhat difficult to understand, because it was entirely different from what had been taught at the university.
How should it be described? It seemed somewhat informal, yet it was effective.
She could not perceive much of the demeanor of a highly professional senior lawyer in Su Bai, but she had learned a considerable amount.
Social acumen counted as one example, and seeking witnesses today counted as another, and together these already amounted to two.
Both were very useful.
"Do not remain standing there in a daze, come quickly and help make telephone calls, there are too many calls for me to complete alone."
Hearing Su Bai's voice, Li Xuezhen returned to her senses.
"Oh, all right, all right."
At ten o'clock in the evening.
After completing this task, Su Bai took a sip of tea and exhaled deeply, and all preparatory work had finally been completed.
Everything was fully prepared, and now it was only necessary to wait for the litigation to begin.
During the court's pretrial mediation outside the courtroom, as expected, Nandu Bank refused the possibility of mediation and declared that it would certainly prevail in the litigation.
Su Bai was dismissive of such declarations, because anyone could boast outside the courtroom, but once the matter entered the courtroom, the reality of the situation would become evident.
Time passed quickly, and the moment for the hearing arrived.
Because this case had attracted considerable attention on the internet and possessed clear news value, many journalists waited at the entrance of the court before the hearing began.
As soon as the lawyers from Nandu Bank arrived, they were immediately surrounded by journalists.
"May we ask the legal personnel of Nandu Bank whether you have reviewed the online discussions regarding this case and what you consider to be your probability of success?"
"May we ask what you think of your opposing law firm, Baijun Law Firm?"
"May we ask what your views are regarding this case?"
The lawyer presiding over this litigation on behalf of the legal department was a young lawyer in his twenties named Li Mo.
Li Mo cleared his throat and displayed a confident expression.
"In response to the questions from the journalists, I would like to state that Nandu Bank has already reviewed the online comments and we will provide explanations subsequently. As for the probability of success, there is no need for concern, and I believe that everyone already has their own judgment regarding this matter."
"This hearing will be conducted in the form of a live broadcast, and if everyone is interested, you may enter the live broadcast to observe."
"As for the opposing law firm, everyone may conduct an online search. It would not be appropriate for me to comment here."
After speaking, Li Mo raised his head and entered the courtroom with his head held high under the surrounding attention of numerous journalists.
In comparison with the attention received by the legal personnel of Nandu Bank from journalists, Su Bai's side appeared much quieter, and almost no journalists paid attention to them.
"Lawyer Su, the difference in treatment between the two sides is very great."
Li Xuezhen expressed this sentiment.
Su Bai raised his eyebrows. "The greater the difference in treatment now, the more dramatic the later media reports will be when the situation is reversed. There is no need to concern ourselves with this. Let us go inside."
"Yes."
Just as the two were preparing to enter the courtroom, a young female journalist who appeared to be quite young ran over carrying her own camera.
"May I ask whether you are Lawyer Su Bai from Baijun Law Firm?"
"Yes, I am. And you are?"
"Hello, I am a journalist from Elephant Media. I would like to interview you. May I do so?"
The young female journalist appeared somewhat nervous, which was perhaps related to her limited professional experience.
The corner of Su Bai's mouth lifted slightly. "Yes."
The young female journalist relaxed somewhat and behaved in a professional manner.
"Hello Lawyer Su, I have heard that the combined success rate of the legal department of Nandu Bank in the Nandu courts once reached as high as eighty six percent. Lawyer Su, what do you think is the probability that Baijun Law Firm will prevail in this litigation?"
Su Bai cleared his throat and adjusted his suit.
"With respect to the litigation involving Nandu Bank and the final adjudication in the case of Wang Li, Baijun Law Firm has great confidence, and everyone is welcome to entrust litigation matters to Baijun Law Firm."
The female journalist paused for several seconds and appeared slightly disappointed, because this was entirely an advertisement, but her professional standards enabled her to maintain a smile.
"In that case, I hope that Lawyer Su will prevail and that the law firm will continue to develop and expand."
"Thank you."
Su Bai smiled and turned around and entered the courtroom together with Li Xuezhen.
During the waiting stage before the hearing began.
Li Xuezhen appeared somewhat nervous. "Lawyer Su, this hearing will be conducted as a live broadcast hearing. What should we do if any problem occurs?"
"What problem? There will be no problem unless the presiding judge deliberately renders an incorrect judgment, and if that were to occur, then this case would become even more sensational."
The corner of Su Bai's mouth lifted slightly, and he indicated that Li Xuezhen should not be concerned about such matters.
In this parallel world, the law was treated with great importance and possessed genuine sanctity.
All persons were equal before the law, and there was no judicial favoritism, and if any objection arose, it would only be necessary to submit an application for reconsideration and observe whether the judicial personnel would face consequences.
Judges generally implemented the provisions of the law strictly.
Su Bai had already learned about the presiding judge and the associate judges for this hearing.
The presiding judge was a female judge named Yu Caixia, who was the vice president of the Nandu Court.
She possessed profound research in law and had served in the court for many years and had presided over hundreds of trials, all of which had been reasoned and well founded.
This bank robbery case in Nandu was also presided over by Yu Caixia.
Su Bai had no concern regarding unfair treatment, because Yu Caixia was well known for adjudicating cases impartially.
Li Xuezhen asked, "What do you mean?"
"There is no need to concern yourself with that now. The hearing is about to begin."
At this moment a staff member arrived before Su Bai, confirmed his identity, and indicated that he could enter the courtroom.
After both sides' lawyers had taken their seats, the court clerk began to read the courtroom discipline.
"In order to maintain courtroom discipline and preserve the solemnity of the court, the following courtroom discipline is hereby announced."
"First, the parties, their litigation representatives, and observers must obey the direction of the presiding judge."
"Second, when the judicial personnel enter the courtroom and when the presiding judge or the sole judge announces the judgment, all persons must stand."
"Third."
"Fourth."
"The announcement is completed. Please invite the presiding judge and associate judges to enter the courtroom."
All persons stood.
Yu Caixia and two associate judges entered the courtroom, and she struck the gavel. "The hearing now begins."
Afterward, the basic information of the participants was verified.
At the same time, outside the courtroom many people were also paying attention to the live broadcast of this hearing.
Inside the legal department office of Nandu Bank.
The person in charge of Nandu Bank, Wang Wu, and the head of the legal department, Xu Zhiqiang, were observing the live broadcast.
After seeing that the hearing had begun, Wang Wu raised his head and asked:
"Zhiqiang, the hearing has begun, and already there are several hundred viewers in the live broadcast room shortly after the opening. This time our bank's legal department must not lose. Do you understand?"
Xu Zhiqiang smiled and nodded. "President Wang, please rest assured. This time our legal department has made comprehensive preparations. According to your requirements, not only must our legal department avoid defeat, but we must also obtain a decisive victory, at least achieving the effect of suppressing public opinion."
"Very good."
Wang Wu nodded with satisfaction.