Shanghai, May 19 (IANS): A court branch was opened near Shanghai's Disney Resort in an effort to prepare for tackling possible crimes and lawsuits connected with the highly anticipated theme park.

The city's Pudong New Area People's Court established the mediation and litigation centre near the park on Wednesday, the China Daily reported.

"As a considerable number of visitors will be from other parts of the country, or even from overseas, and will stay for only a couple of days in Shanghai, we set up the centre to fast-track court procedures and will provide visitors with one-stop service," said Fu Yuming, vice-president of the court.

The resort made a trial run on May 7, with its official opening scheduled for June 16.

Shanghai Shendi Group, Disney's Chinese partner, has forecast that the mainland theme park will draw 10 million visitors annually.

"With such a colossal number of visitors to the Disney Resort, we estimate that disputes in ticketing, catering, accommodation, tour contracts and consumption may rise," Fu said, adding: "And we also need to guard against criminal activities that endanger public security and personal and property safety."

Court services, including mediation, case registration, submission of evidence, getting in touch with a judge, resolution of sentencing objections and judicial aid, will be all available at the centre, the court said.

Information about lawsuits and reported crimes will be updated frequently and shared with the police, market watchdogs and consumer rights protection councils to encourage businesses to show integrity and honesty, the court said.