Dear Friends:

The Citizen Judges Act, a landmark judicial-reform law, finally passed in July this year, affirming that citizens are not merely the objects of the justice system but participants in adjudication. Yet the rushed legislative process, defects in the Act, inadequate supporting measures, and the decision not to pilot a jury system alongside the citizen-judge model mean that the work of monitoring implementation will be even more demanding. We will need broader support from society.

This year also marks JRF's 25th anniversary. Because of the pandemic, our planned anniversary events had to be canceled. But to defend the public's right to participate in trials, we staged a 24-day sit-in during June and July-the hottest such period in a century-showing through action that the convictions that led to JRF's founding remain as strong as ever. In doing so, we also pay tribute to the people who founded JRF 25 years ago. Alongside our longstanding judicial-reform work, this year we launched new projects on prosecutor and police reform, crime victim protection, and improving judicial quality while reducing the burden on the courts, and we developed innovative rule-of-law education materials aligned with Taiwan's 2019 Curriculum Guidelines.

Our Taichung Office is also entering its fifth year, continuing to put down roots locally and strengthen the rule of law and democracy in Taiwan. In addition to its longstanding work on individual case advocacy and rule-of-law education, the Taichung Office launched the Judicial Sunshine Network this year to connect local resources more effectively.

Because of the pandemic, we have had few opportunities to see one another this year. We warmly invite you to join our appreciation banquet, spend some time together, and catch up. JRF at 25: never forget why we started. Your continued support gives us the strength to keep moving forward.

Judicial Reform Foundation

• Chairperson

and All Secretariat Staff

Notes

1. To support COVID-19 contact tracing, admission will use real-name registration. Guests who plan to attend are kindly asked to notify the organizer in advance.
2. If the event cannot proceed as planned because of the pandemic, the organizer reserves the right to make appropriate alternative arrangements. Please consult the organizer's website and announcements for updates.