Judicial Reform Blueprint

Judicial Reform Blueprint

When the Judicial Reform Foundation was established in 1995, Taiwan's judicial problems were numerous, complex, and deeply interconnected. The following year, in 1996, former Chairperson Attorney Ch'en Chuan-yüeh therefore initiated the formation of the "Committee for Drafting the Judicial Reform Blueprint," with the aim of developing a comprehensive reform plan that would serve as a benchmark for the JRF's long-term advocacy.

After three years of deliberation, the committee completed the Judicial Reform Blueprint in 1998, and the book was published in January 1999. It is divided into eight chapters: Chapter 1, Basic Principles; Chapter 2, Judicial Organization; Chapter 3, The Litigation System; Chapter 4, The Judge System; Chapter 5, The Prosecutor System; Chapter 6, The Attorney System; Chapter 7, Training and In-Service Education of Legal Professionals; and Chapter 8, Education of Legal Professionals.

In early 2009, the tenth anniversary of the Judicial Reform Blueprint, the JRF set out to develop a new-generation blueprint that would review the reform proposals made a decade earlier and offer more forward-looking recommendations for Taiwan's judiciary. Because of the project's immense scope, however, only part of it was completed. In 2013, former Chairperson Attorney Ku Li-hsiung revived the project by convening the "Committee for Drafting the Second-Generation Judicial Reform Blueprint." The Second-Generation Judicial Reform Blueprint was originally scheduled for release in 2016 as a guide for the JRF's future work; however, because the National Congress on Judicial Reform was convened around that time, the related proposals were instead presented to the public separately.

In 2025, the JRF's 30th anniversary year, the organization's specialized working groups spent a year drafting the Third-Generation Judicial Reform Blueprint, and a series of related events will be held in 2026.

09May.
2026

Press Release | Thirty Years of Judicial Reform: Civil Society Gathers to Chart the Next Step of Reform

Judicial Reform Foundation

On May 9, 2026, the Judicial Reform Foundation hosted the academic symposium "Thirty Years of Judicial Reform: New…

08Jan.
2026

Press Release | Reflecting on Stalled Reforms Ahead of Judicial Day: The Lai Administration Must Restart Social Dialogue and Forge Consensus on Reform

Judicial Reform Foundation

When President William Lai reached his one-year anniversary in office on May 20, 2025, multiple polls consistently…

08Jul.
2025

Press Conference | Thirty Years of Judicial Reform with Your Support: Opening Press Conference for the Association for Taiwan Judicial Reform's 30th Anniversary Exhibition "Becoming an Ordinary Person"

Association for Taiwan Judicial Reform

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Association for Taiwan Judicial Reform (JRF). To look back at past human…

06Aug.
2024

Constitutional Grand Debate | JRF's Legal Opinions on the Unconstitutionality of the "Congressional Reform / Power Expansion Bills"

Judicial Reform Foundation

Regarding the Constitutional Court's August 6 review of the case concerning the unconstitutionality of the…

27May.
2024

From Inaction Toward Abuse: The Justified Need for Legislative Reform Does Not Grant the Majority’s Bulldozing Through Inadequately Discussed Bill

Judicial Reform Foundation

On May 17th, severe altercations erupted in the Legislative Yuan during the deliberation on several draft legislations,…

24May.
2024

Statement | Statement Regarding Concerns Over the Legislative Yuan's Second-Reading Deliberations on the "Congressional Reform" Bills

Judicial Reform Foundation

Updated at 22:08 on May 28, 2024: Provisions concerning the Act Governing the Legislative Yuan's Power have passed…

21May.
2024

Statement | From Eight Years of Inaction to Congressional Abuse of Power: The Majority's Tyranny in Forcing Through Congressional Reform Damages Democracy

Judicial Reform Foundation

17May.
2024

Press Conference | "President Lai, How Will Judicial Reform Proceed?" Press Release

Joint Press Release by Civil Society Organizations

President-elect Lai Ching-te will assume office as Taiwan's 16th president next Monday (May 20, 2024). Facing the…

11Jan.
2024

Political Party Responses | Democratic Progressive Party's Response to the JRF's Seven Questions on Judicial Reform

Democratic Progressive Party

Democratic Progressive Party's Response to the JRF's Seven Questions on Judicial Reform

08Jan.
2024

Judicial Reform Commitments Compared | Judicial Reform Foundation Publishes Responses to Seven Questions on Judicial Reform from Various Parties

Judicial Reform Foundation

With only five days remaining before the January 13 presidential and legislative elections, the Judicial Reform…

20Nov.
2023

Press Conference | Who Cares About Fairness and Justice? Seven Questions on Judicial Reform for All Political Parties

Judicial Reform Foundation

The 2024 national at-large legislator election is expected to hold televised political platform presentations for…

31Oct.
2023

Press Release | Civil Society Organizations Visit Ko Wen-je's Campaign Office Regarding "Judicial Reform Policy"

Judicial Reform Foundation

Last Monday (10/23) and Wednesday (10/25) afternoons, the Judicial Reform Foundation, Taiwan Bar Association, Taipei…