Shanghai judges quit posts, citing caseloads, cost of living

SHANGHAI, March 12 (UPI) -- Large caseloads and the high cost of living prompted 74 judges in Shanghai to quit their jobs in 2013, a panel discussion of legislators heard Wednesday.

The disproportionately low income of the judges in one of the world's most expensive cities, and long working hours, prompted the resignations, Cui Yadong of the Shanghai High People's Court told a group of national legislators from Shanghai, China Daily reported.

Each judge is handling, on average, 131 cases, or one case per two workdays, legislator Li Biying told the panel.

The problem has been attributed to non-competitive salaries and an outdated management model. Many government deputies have urged more innovation to change the system, the newspaper noted.