Circular No. 14/2025/TT-BTP on awarding the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Justice"

 CIRCULAR

REGULATIONS ON THE AWARD OF THE "FOR THE LEGAL REFORM" MEMORIAL MEDALIN MEMORY OF CHAPTER “FOR THE JUDICIAL PROFESSION” FOR THE JUDICIAL PROFESSION

On the basis of Law on Encouragement and Reward 2022;

Decree No. Decree No. 39/2025/NĐ-CP dated February 26, 2025 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Justice;

Decree No. Decision No. 152/2025/NĐ-CP of June 14, 2025 of the Government on分级处理和授权领域的规定；对《奖励与表彰法》若干条款的具体规定和实施指导； 《奖励与表彰法》；

The phrase "or examination" is abolished pursuant to Clause 6, Article 8 of Circular No. 15/2025/TT-BVHTTDL dated November 25, 2025, of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism amending and supplementing certain articles of Circulars prescribing job codes, qualification standards, and salary grades for civil servants in the heritage culture, library, grassroots cultural activities, sports, fine arts, art performance, film, and cultural propaganda sectors, which takes effect from January 15, 2026.

The Minister of Justice issues this Circular to regulate the award of the "For the Legal Reform" Memorial Medal.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular regulates principles, recipients, criteria for awarding; responsibilities for proposing and submitting applications for awarding the "For the Legal Reform" Memorial Medal; application procedures, presentation procedures; monetary awards; procedures for revoking award decisions, recovering, issuing replacement, and reissuing award items.

2. This Circular applies to individuals eligible for awarding; agencies and organizations proposing and presenting awards; other relevant agencies and organizations related to the awarding of the "For the Legal Reform" Memorial Medal.

Article 2. The "For the Legal Reform" Memorial Medal

1. The "For the Legal Reform" Memorial Medal (hereinafter referred to as the Memorial Medal) is a form of reward by the Minister of Justice to recognize and encourage individuals who have contributed to the development of the legal sector.

2. The award items include the Certificate, Memorial Medal, and its case. The design of the award items shall be implemented according to regulations.

Article 3. Principles for Awarding the Memorial Medal

1. The awarding of the Memorial Medal is conducted annually on the occasion of the anniversary of the Legal Sector's Traditional Day or awarded exceptionally based on the decision of the Minister of Justice.

2. The awarding of the Memorial Medal must ensure transparency, democracy, objectivity, fairness, and timeliness in accordance with the provisions of the law and the specified recipients and criteria set forth in this Circular.

3. The Memorial Medal is awarded only once to each individual.

4. The organization of the presentation of the Memorial Medal must ensure solemnity, economy, effectiveness, and avoid ostentation and formalism.

Chapter II
ELIGIBILITY AND CRITERIA FOR AWARDING THE MEMORIAL MEDAL

Article 4. Eligibility and Criteria for Awarding the Memorial Medal to Individuals Working in the Legal Sector

1. Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Justice; former Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Justice.

2. Leaders of units under the Ministry of Justice, advisory bodies of the Party Committee of the Ministry, political-social organizations under the Ministry, Departments of Justice, Civil Enforcement Offices of provinces and cities:

a) Individuals working in the legal sector appointed as heads of units under the Ministry, advisory bodies of the Party Committee of the Ministry, political-social organizations under the Ministry, Departments of Justice, Civil Enforcement Offices of provinces and cities, who have held such positions for at least five years for males and three years for females; those appointed as deputy heads who have held such positions for at least eight years for males and six years for females, and have performed their duties satisfactorily during the qualifying period for awarding.

b) In cases where individuals working in other sectors are transferred to work in the legal sector and appointed as heads or deputy heads of units under the Ministry, advisory bodies of the Party Committee of the Ministry, political-social organizations under the Ministry, Departments of Justice, Civil Enforcement Offices of provinces and cities, who have held senior positions in the legal sector for at least six years for males and four years for females; and have held deputy positions for at least nine years for males and seven years for females, and have performed their duties satisfactorily during the qualifying period for awarding.

c) In cases where individuals meet the tenure requirements for senior positions as stipulated in points a and b of this Article but do not meet the tenure requirements for the position they hold, their time in deputy positions can be added to their tenure to qualify for the Memorial Medal based on their deputy position.

3. Individuals working in units under the Ministry of Justice, advisory bodies of the Party Committee of the Ministry, political-social organizations under the Ministry, Departments of Justice, Civil Enforcement Offices of provinces and cities, and Judicial-Civil Registry Officers may be proposed for the Memorial Medal if they have worked for at least twenty years for males and fifteen years for females, and have performed their duties satisfactorily during the qualifying period for awarding.

4. Individuals working in other sectors who transfer to the legal sector or from the legal sector to other sectors may be proposed for the Memorial Medal if they have worked for at least twenty-five years for males and twenty years for females, including at least twelve years in the legal sector, and have performed their duties satisfactorily during the qualifying period for awarding.

5. Individuals working in the legal sector up to the retirement date, if the qualifying period for awarding is less than twelve months short of the required period, may be considered for the Memorial Medal before retirement.

Article 5. Recipients and criteria for awarding Commemorative Medals to individuals currently engaged in judicial work

1. Individuals directly involved in legal affairs within Ministries, agencies at the level of ministries, government agencies, specialized agencies under provincial People's Committees, state-owned enterprises under central ministries and sectors; Judicial Appraisers; individuals directly involved in civil enforcement in the military may be proposed for the award of Commemorative Medals if they have accumulated at least 22 years of service in judicial work for males, and at least 17 years for females, and have performed their duties satisfactorily during the qualifying period.

2. Individuals who are lawyers; notaries working in Notary Offices; Auctioneers working in asset auction companies; Substituted Judges; Insolvency Administrators; Arbitrators; Commercial Mediators may be proposed for the award of Commemorative Medals if they have accumulated at least 22 years of practice or professional activity for males, and at least 17 years for females.

Article 6. Recipients and criteria for awarding Commemorative Medals to other individuals who have contributed to the development of the judicial sector

1. Individuals holding leadership positions who have made contributions to the development of the judicial sector may be proposed for the award of Commemorative Medals:

a) Heads and deputy heads of Central Party Committees, National Assembly Office, Ethnic Councils, National Assembly Committees, President's Office, Supreme People's Court, Supreme People's Procuracy, State Audit Agency, Ministries, agencies at the level of ministries, government agencies; members of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and the Standing Committees of political-social organizations under the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee.

b) Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries of Provincial Party Committees, Municipal Party Committees; Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of People's Councils, People's Committees, Vietnam Fatherland Front Provincial Committees, Municipal Committees.

2. Individuals who are members of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Provincial Committees; Directors and Deputy Directors of provincial departments, bureaus, and equivalent agencies who have continuously led and directed the implementation of tasks under the management authority of the Ministry of Justice for at least seven consecutive years for male leaders, and at least five consecutive years for female leaders; at least ten consecutive years for male deputies, and at least eight consecutive years for female deputies.

3. Individuals who are overseas Vietnamese, Vietnamese residing in Vietnam but working for foreign diplomatic, consular agencies, or international organizations in Vietnam; foreigners may be proposed for the award of Commemorative Medals if they have made outstanding contributions to building and consolidating cooperative relations between their countries, agencies, or organizations and the Ministry of Justice, and have positively contributed to the construction and development of the judicial sector.

4. Other cases as decided by the Minister of Justice.

Article 7. Cases where individuals are not eligible for the award of Commemorative Medals

1. Individuals shall not be proposed for the award of Commemorative Medals during the period when the competent authority is considering disciplinary action or conducting investigations, inspections, or audits due to suspected violations, or when there are complaints or accusations against them, or issues related to corruption or negative practices reported by the media that are being verified.

2. Disciplinary periods and periods of work evaluated as below satisfactory performance shall not be counted towards eligibility for the award of Commemorative Medals.

3. Individuals specified in Article 4, Article 5, and Clause 1, Clause 2 of Article 6 of this Circular shall not be eligible for the award of Commemorative Medals if they are subject to disciplinary measures such as forced resignation or expulsion from the Party.

Chapter III
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PROPOSING AND SUBMITTING NOMINATION FILES FOR AWARDING; NOMINATION FILE AND PROCEDURES FOR AWARDING; AWARDS OF COMMENDATION MEDALS; REVOKING DECISIONS ON AWARDING COMMENDATION MEDALS, REISSUING, REPLACING, AND ISSUING AGAIN THE AWARD ITEMSAWARDS OF COMMENDATION ITEMS

Article 8. Proposal for Awarding Commendation Medal

The Director of the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department shall be responsible for organizing the review and examination of files submitted by agencies and units, as well as the files of individuals within the scope defined in Clause 1, Article 4 and Clause 4, Article 6 of this Circular, who were formerly leaders of units under the Ministry and have retired but meet the criteria without having been awarded the Commendation Medal, to propose to the Ministry of Justice’s Competition and Reward Council for consideration and submission to the Minister of Justice for awarding the Commendation Medal.

Article 9. Submission of Files for Proposal for Awarding Commendation Medal

1. Heads of units under the Ministry, advisory bodies assisting the Party Committee of the Ministry, political and social organizations under the Ministry shall be responsible for submitting files of individuals who are currently working or have worked at their agencies or units, except for retired leaders; individuals within the scope defined in Point a, Clause 1 and Clause 4, Article 6 of this Circular who meet the criteria according to regulations; provide opinions on individuals proposed for awarding within the assigned advisory, management, and oversight fields.

2. The Director of the Civil Enforcement Management Bureau shall be responsible for submitting files of individuals who are currently working or have worked in the civil enforcement system and individuals with contributions to civil enforcement work within the scope defined in Point b, Clause 1, Clause 2, and Clause 4, Article 6 of this Circular who meet the criteria according to regulations.

3. The Director of the International Cooperation Department shall be responsible for submitting files of individuals as stipulated in Clause 3, Article 6 of this Circular who meet the criteria according to regulations.

4. Directors of Provincial Departments of Justice shall be responsible for submitting files of individuals meeting the criteria according to regulations for the following cases:

a) Individuals who are currently working or have worked at the Provincial Department of Justice; judicial administrative officers - household registration officers in the province.

b) Individuals directly engaged in legal affairs at specialized agencies under provincial People's Committees; judicial appraisers; individuals within Clause 2, Article 5 of this Circular based on proposals from heads of agencies and organizations proposing individuals for awarding.

c) Individuals within the scope defined in Point b, Clause 1, Clause 2, and Clause 4, Article 6 of this Circular.

5. Heads of legal organizations, units entrusted with legal affairs of ministries, agencies equivalent to ministries, government agencies, state-owned enterprises under central ministries and sectors shall cooperate with related units to propose to the Minister, heads of agencies equivalent to ministries, and government agencies to request the Minister of Justice to consider awarding the Commendation Medal to individuals under their jurisdiction who meet the criteria according to regulations.

Article 10. Files and Procedures for Proposing for Awarding Commendation Medal

1. The proposal file for awarding the Commendation Medal follows the model attached to this Circular, including:

a) A report and list of individuals proposed;

b) A summary of the career path; achievements and contributions of the proposed individuals.

2. Agencies and units shall submit one set (original) of the proposal file for awarding the Commendation Medal to the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department, Ministry of Justice, while sending electronic files of the proposal, excluding information with state secrets, to the email of the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department, Ministry of Justice: [email protected].

3. Time limit for submitting proposal files:

a) Ministries, agencies equivalent to ministries, government agencies, units under the Ministry, advisory bodies assisting the Party Committee of the Ministry, political and social organizations under the Ministry of Justice, Provincial Departments of Justice shall submit proposal files for awarding the Commendation Medal to the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department, Ministry of Justice before June 1st each year.

b) For individuals within the scope defined in Clause 1, Article 4, Clause 1, Clause 3, and Clause 4, Article 6 of this Circular, agencies and units shall submit reward proposal files when individuals meet the conditions and criteria according to regulations.

4. Time limit for receiving, examining files, and proposing for awarding:

a) Within 25 working days from the date of receipt of complete proposal files for awarding the Commendation Medal as prescribed, the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department, Ministry of Justice shall be responsible for examining the files, proposing to the Ministry of Justice’s Competition and Reward Council for consideration, and submitting to the Minister.

b) For cases that do not meet the conditions, criteria, and reward procedures, the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department, Ministry of Justice shall be responsible for notifying in writing the submitting unit within 10 working days from the date of receipt of the files.

c) Within 10 working days from the date of the Ministry of Justice’s Competition and Reward Council's decision on rewarding, the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department, Ministry of Justice shall complete the required procedures to submit to the Minister for consideration and decision.

Article 11. Awarding Commemorative Medals

1. The Minister of Justice shall directly award or authorize the awarding of Commemorative Medals in accordance with the regulations on the ceremony for presenting this form of commendation.

2. The Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department of the Ministry of Justice shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies, units, and individuals to advise and propose to the Minister of Justice on organizing the awarding of Commemorative Medals for cases where the Minister of Justice awards them directly.

Article 12. Amount of Monetary Award for Commemorative Medals

1. Individuals who are awarded Commemorative Medals shall receive a commendatory gift, frame, and an accompanying monetary award equal to 0.4 times the base salary.

2. Vietnamese individuals residing abroad and foreign individuals who are awarded Commemorative Medals shall receive a commendatory gift, frame, and a commemorative souvenir of equivalent value to a monetary award equal to 0.4 times the base salary.

Article 13. Documents and Procedures for Revoking Decisions to Award Commemorative Medals; Recovery of Commendatory Gifts and Monetary Awards; Documents and Procedures for Reissuing Commendatory Gifts

1. Individuals who commit acts falling under the circumstances specified in Clause 2 of Article 93 of the Law on Competition and Rewards 2022 shall have their decisions to be awarded Commemorative Medals revoked and shall have their received commendatory gifts and monetary awards recovered.

2. The documents and procedures for revoking decisions to award Commemorative Medals and recovering commendatory gifts and monetary awards; the procedures for reissuing commendatory gifts shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Minister of Justice.

Chapter IV
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 14. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from September 15, 2025. Circular No. 06/2018/TT-BTP dated June 7, 2018, of the Minister of Justice regarding the awarding of the Commemorative Medal "For the Cause of Justice" shall cease to be effective from the date this Circular takes effect.

Article 15. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Competition and Reward Council of the Justice Sector, Heads of Units under the Ministry, advisory bodies of the Party Committee of the Ministry, political and social organizations under the Ministry, Directors of Provincial Justice Departments, and Heads of Civil Execution Offices in cities shall be responsible for implementing this Circular within the scope of their assigned tasks and powers.

2. The Head of the Cadre and Civil Servant Organization Department shall take the lead and coordinate with related units to advise and assist the Minister of Justice in guiding, inspecting, and urging units under the Ministry, advisory bodies of the Party Committee of the Ministry, political and social organizations under the Ministry, Provincial Justice Departments, Civil Execution Offices in cities, and other related agencies and organizations to implement this Circular.