Statement in Response to the Judicial Yuan's Release of the "Judicial Reform Blueprint and Schedule"

Following the release of the judicial reform blueprint by the Judicial Reform Foundation on Judicial Reform Day (January 11) this year, President Weng of the Judicial Yuan fulfilled his promise upon taking office today by presenting a judicial reform blueprint and schedule within two months. The JRF highly commends and applauds the release of this blueprint, and sincerely hopes it serves not merely as a blueprint for the present stage, but as the new face of the judiciary in the future.

The judicial reform proposals put forward by President Weng cover nearly all aspects of reform demands, particularly emphasizing the judiciary from the "people's perspective." This breaks through the past blind spot that "judicial reform is solely the business of legal professionals," filling the public with anticipation for future judicial reform. Confronted with the three essential elements of reform—people, policy, and time—President Weng has evidently provided outline-based answers. However, this also highlights potential crises lurking within the future of reform, regarding which the JRF feels compelled to elaborate once again:

1. Overcoming Resistance to Reform

   The reason why past judicial reforms failed to be implemented and were repeatedly criticized lies not in a lack of understanding of the direction of reform, but in persistent resistance to it, rendering the implementation of reform ideals mere empty talk. Therefore, after President Weng's introduction of the reform blueprint, the real difficulties are likely only just beginning. Take, for instance, the expansion of judge evaluation and the removal of incompetent judges and presiding judges: the JRF is currently facing criminal defamation charges—still underway—simply for organizing judge evaluations last year. Meanwhile, the "presiding judge tenure system" promoted by the Judicial Yuan also fizzled out due to pushback from judges at the High Court. Faced with such stubborn anti-reform forces, how can the Judicial Yuan transform the existing judicial culture to achieve its reform goals?

2. Integrating Political Forces to Achieve Inter-Branch Reform Objectives

   Regarding the National Judicial Reform Conference to be held by the Judicial Yuan in July, civil society groups originally united to demand that the conference be convened by the Office of the President, modeling it after the National Development Council. The reason for this demand was the recognition that judicial reform must be treated as part of political reform and can by no means be accomplished solely through unilateral planning by the Judicial Yuan. The integration of political forces across government branches and guarantees of overall political commitment constitute the true significance of holding another National Judicial Reform Conference; otherwise, it will merely replay the superficial judicial rituals of years past. Furthermore, given President Weng's proposed positioning of the Judicial Yuan, or issues bound to arise such as the principle of equality of arms necessitating actual prosecutor attendance at trials, it is evident that these are not judicial reform items the Judicial Yuan can unilaterally control. We must therefore reiterate the necessity of inter-branch integration.

3. Ensuring the Continuity of Judicial Reform Policies for Thorough Implementation

   Faced with the grand scale of reform envisioned by President Weng, civil society judicial reform organizations offer enthusiastic support and eager anticipation while hoping that this five-year reform blueprint will mark a long-term reform for the Judicial Yuan rather than fluctuating with personnel changes. Otherwise, presenting the blueprint would lose its meaning. Thorough implementation is the sole purpose of putting forth this blueprint.

   Faced with the presentation of the judicial reform blueprint and schedule, the JRF feels both exhilarated and expectant, and stands ready to continue playing its role in monitoring and advancing reform until the day the judicial reform blueprint becomes the judicial reality.