Lawyer's Tea House - Issue 13

Author: None
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: In China, tea houses have a very long history. They took shape around the Tang Dynasty and gradually developed in scale during the Song Dynasty. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, they had become fashionable. Throughout history, tea houses have had many names, such as tea towers, tea shops, tea workshops, tea stores, tea residences, tea clubs, and tea art houses. They also come in many varieties, such as quiet tea houses for drinking tea and chatting, rough tea houses specializing in simple tea, tea houses that also sell snacks and drinks, book tea houses with storytelling and singing, chess tea houses for playing chess and cards, and tea art houses that perform tea ceremonies. The basic function of a tea house is to provide people with a place to drink tea, relax, entertain, and negotiate. However, they have also served as venues for resolving disputes and settling conflicts. In old China, parties often went to tea houses to discuss solutions or terms for resolving disputes, a practice known as "eating tea" or "tasting tea," often with mediators or judges present to mediate or arbitrate. Thus, tea houses had a somewhat judicial function.
During my visits to various countries, I enjoy visiting local courts not only to observe trials but also to admire their architectural layouts and sculptures and paintings. Among the courts I have seen, some are grand and imposing, while others are exquisite and delicate; some have an ancient charm, while others are modern and sleek; some evoke a sense of solemnity, while others feel welcoming and peaceful. The basic function of a court is to resolve disputes and maintain social stability under the principles of fairness and justice. For this purpose, courts need both authority and approachability. Ancient court designs often emphasized the former, while modern court designs place greater emphasis on the latter, including providing dedicated spaces for lawyers and parties to rest, talk, or even drink tea or coffee. Thus, courts seem to have acquired some tea house functions as well.
Where there is tea, there are tea houses; where there is law, there should be courts. Nowadays, some ultra-luxurious tea houses have high thresholds and intimidating facades, making them off-putting. Similarly, some courts have high thresholds and intimidating facades, causing people to avoid them. Recently, I have heard of a "retro" phenomenon in some places, where villagers avoid courts and instead turn to local "elders" for mediation or "divine judgment." This warrants deep reflection for those engaged in legal research and judicial practice.
In my opinion, if tea houses have high thresholds, it is no harm for people to resolve their tea-related needs at home, which is harmless to the nation. However, if courts have high thresholds and people all seek their own ways to resolve disputes, that would be disastrous for society.