Officers from a border check station’s legal aid service department talk to sailors on board an Italian vessel about China’s entry and exit laws. [Photo: Xinhua]

The increasing number of lawsuits lodged by foreigners has prompted China to consider the introduction of legal services in English.

Under Chinese law, foreign litigants have the same rights as local citizens in lawsuits if their disputes occur in the country.

But expats find it difficult to resolve disputes as few Chinese legal procedures have an English version.

Jiang Qibo, the chief judge from the Supreme People's Court, said some courts in coastal areas have already established interpreter databases, but more assistance is needed.

He said the Supreme Court will try to set up a unified lawsuit service platform in English and extend it across the country, although this idea is not yet on the agenda.