Shanghai will begin selecting new judges from the ranks of its judge assistants - a position created five years ago as part of the city's wide-ranging judicial reform.

Up to 160 judge assistants, who serve in the city's district and intermediate courts, will be promoted and assume new roles by the end of the year, the Shanghai High People's Court announced.

Nearly 300 candidates took written tests on Sept 2 and will go through simulated court hearings and qualification tests in mid-September.