Chapter 7: Is This Litigation Intended to Rob the Bank Once Again?
This hearing was conducted as a live broadcast hearing, and with considerable publicity from various media on the internet, Nandu Bank was under enormous pressure.
If the litigation were lost, it would produce serious consequences for the reputation of Nandu Bank.
Wang Wu, as the person in charge of Nandu Bank, would also be seriously affected.
Therefore, defeat was not acceptable.
Those watching the live broadcast of the hearing included not only relevant personnel of Nandu Bank but also many media outlets that were rebroadcasting the live stream, because this hearing possessed considerable public attention.
For media organizations, benefiting from such attention was advantageous.
One well known legal commentator explained the proceedings while watching the live broadcast of the hearing.
"At present in the courtroom the judge is verifying the identities of the parties and their legal representatives, and this is a normal procedural step in the hearing."
"On the left side are the legal lawyers representing the defendant Nandu Bank, and on the right side are the lawyers from Baijun Law Firm representing the plaintiff, and because this hearing involves consolidated proceedings, the public prosecutor is also seated on the left side."
The legal commentator looked at the live broadcast and shook his head slightly.
"Judging from the present situation, it will probably be very difficult for Baijun Law Firm to prevail, although there remains a certain probability that the party concerned may obtain a reduced sentence."
The comment section below displayed nearly unanimous opinions.
'Indeed, although in spirit I hope that Baijun Law Firm can prevail, it appears unlikely, after all this is litigation against a bank.'
'That is correct, what you say makes sense, but it is still difficult to accept.'
The comment section was uniformly pessimistic, and at this moment a sudden comment appeared.
'Do you think it is possible that a miracle might occur, for example that the lawyer from Baijun Law Firm on the right is actually a concealed expert?'
A series of rebuttals immediately followed below.
'It is difficult. That lawyer appears very young and it will be difficult to prevail.'
The legal commentator Luo Daxiang nodded slightly. "This case is indeed very difficult to win. Let us refrain from further commentary for the moment and continue watching. During the hearing, if there are points that are unclear, I will provide explanations."
Inside the courtroom.
After the verification of information was completed, Yu Caixia struck the gavel.
"The plaintiff is now invited to state the facts and reasons and to present the appellate claims."
Su Bai sat at the counsel's table and knew that the critical moment had arrived, and after slightly adjusting his suit, he orally presented the statement of claim.
"Our claims are very simple."
"First, we do not accept the judgments of the first instance and the second instance, because our client clearly did not commit a crime yet was falsely accused of the offense of robbery, and we therefore apply to revoke the judgments of the first instance and the second instance and request that the original judgments be annulled and that our client's innocence be restored."
"Second, we apply for compensation from the defendant, namely Nandu Bank, because due to the erroneous determination of Nandu Bank our client was wrongly sentenced to twenty years of fixed term imprisonment and remained in detention for a prolonged period, and we therefore apply for compensation in the amount of two hundred thousand yuan for lost income, mental damages, and reputational damage, and this amount has been calculated in detail and is not excessive."
"Third, because Nandu Bank caused serious damage to the reputation of our client, we request that Nandu Bank issue a public apology to our client, including but not limited to issuing apology statements on major platforms such as Weibo and short video platforms for a period of not less than twenty days." [Weibo is a major Chinese social media platform (Sina Weibo), similar to Twitter/X, where users share short posts, follow trends, and interact with public figures and brands.]
"Fourth, we request that the senior management of Nandu Bank come forward to clarify the facts, not only to restore our client's innocence but also to issue apologies to those victims who suffered similar treatment at Nandu Bank."
The courtroom fell completely silent.
Everyone present was astonished.
Were these litigation claims serious?
Not only was there a request to revoke the judgments of the first instance and the second instance and to declare the client innocent and restore his reputation.
That alone might have been acceptable, yet there was also an application requiring Nandu Bank to provide compensation.
Was it truly the case that the lawyer representing a person convicted of robbery was applying for compensation of two hundred thousand yuan for lost income, mental damages, and reputational damage from the bank on behalf of his client?
Was this not equivalent to attempting to rob the bank once again?
By comparison, the third and fourth claims appeared relatively insignificant.
In the live broadcast of the hearing outside the courtroom, the viewers who were watching the live broadcast included not only ordinary viewers but also court personnel, lawyers, and legal practitioners who were all stunned.
They had originally believed that this lawsuit against Nandu Bank would certainly fail, but because the influence of this live broadcast hearing was so great and the presiding judge was an experienced judge, a reduction of sentence might perhaps have been possible.
In general terms this would still have been advantageous and could barely have been regarded as a form of success.
However, to present litigation claims of this nature seemed equivalent to making unrealistic wishes that could hardly be imagined even in aspiration.
'This lawyer is truly remarkable. Everyone should fill the screen with expressions of approval. Regardless of whether he prevails, these litigation claims can certainly be described as unprecedented and perhaps they will be recorded as a classic example in legal litigation.'
'Remarkable indeed.'
'These litigation claims are so extraordinary that even a wish maker would not dare to make such wishes, and even a divine figure could not accomplish them.'
'Do not ridicule yet. Let us first hear what Professor Luo thinks.'
Luo Daxiang shook his head slightly. 'Since these claims have been presented, there must be corresponding factual and evidentiary grounds supporting them.'
'The claims proposed by this lawyer appear somewhat extraordinary, but the specific outcome depends upon the factual grounds that he presents.'
'If there is no corresponding evidence, then this would constitute false statements and might amount to fabrication of evidence, and as a lawyer he should not make such an error.'
'I cannot make a definite judgment. Let us continue watching.'
Inside the legal department office of Nandu Bank.
Wang Wu frowned slightly, and Xu Zhiqiang beside him spoke with a smile.
"President Wang, such litigation claims are entirely intended to attract attention. It is sufficient merely to observe them, because they cannot produce factual grounds or legal arguments."
"It is possible that he may even face consequences for fabricating evidence."
"At that time the public opinion advantage of Nandu Bank will be secured."
Wang Wu stared intently at the live broadcast of the hearing.
"Very well, but remember that regardless of the circumstances, in this hearing Nandu Bank must prevail decisively."
"Understood."
Xu Zhiqiang responded with a deferential smile.
Inside the courtroom, Yu Caixia frowned slightly at the claims proposed by Su Bai.
These litigation claims appeared entirely unreasonable.
At this moment Li Mo could not help speaking with a cold laugh.
"With respect to these litigation claims, may I ask whether the lawyer for the party concerned can produce corresponding factual evidence and legal arguments?"
"If such materials cannot be produced, it is possible that a sentence may be imposed for the offense of obstructing justice."
Su Bai smiled slightly. "This matter appears to have no relation to the lawyer representing the defendant."
"Presiding Judge, the opposing lawyer has made verbal attacks against me and attempted to interfere with the normal progress of judicial proceedings, and I therefore apply for the opposing lawyer to be removed from his position."
"You."
Li Mo had just intended to say something further when Yu Caixia on the judicial bench frowned slightly and struck the gavel.
The gavel sounded.
"The application is invalid and is rejected. It is not yet the time for the defendant's lawyer to speak. The defendant's lawyer is hereby warned once."
Faced with the sound of the gavel and the warning, Li Mo could only suppress his anger and swallow the words he had intended to speak.