2017 Judicial Reform Resolutions: Oversight & Implementation
Monitoring the Implementation of Resolutions from the 2017 National Judicial Reform Conference
In November 2016, President Tsai Ing-wen personally convened the Office of the President National Judicial Reform Conference, bringing together representatives from the judiciary, prosecution, and defense, as well as cross-disciplinary civil society actors. Following nearly a year of intensive discussions, a comprehensive set of judicial reform resolutions was adopted in August 2017. JRF continues to track the implementation of these resolutions to ensure that reform commitments do not remain empty promises.
Origins of the National Judicial Reform Conference
In 2016, public expectations for judicial reform reached a peak. Making "judicial reform" a major political platform, President Tsai Ing-wen promptly announced the convening of the Office of the President National Judicial Reform Conference upon taking office. She personally served as the convener, delegating representatives from various sectors to formulate reform proposals addressing core issues in the existing judicial system through subcommittee meetings.
The conference was divided into five working groups covering five major dimensions: victim protection, judicial quality, authority and responsibility systems, public participation, and social safety. A total of over 40 subcommittee and additional meetings were held, culminating in the concluding meeting on August 12, 2017, where reform resolutions were formally adopted.
Key directions of the concluding meeting resolutions include:
Establishing the citizen judge system, introducing public participation in prosecutorial screening, strengthening assistance measures for vulnerable groups, promoting open courtroom audio and video, enhancing transparency of attorney information, digitizing judicial hardware equipment, reforming the prosecutorial personnel system, building a pyramid-shaped adversarial trial procedure (mandatory defense and attorney representation), promoting restorative justice, and enhancing continuing education and training for judges, among others.
Eight Key Areas of Reform
Materials from the Five Subcommittee Meetings
Click on each subcommittee to access complete meeting recordings, official materials, and JRF commentary:
Resolution Implementation Tracking Records
JRF continuously records the progress of resolution implementation, evaluates reform outcomes annually, and reports publicly to society:
Official Materials and Original Documents
Office of the President National Judicial Reform Conference
Official website, including five subcommittee pages, all meeting materials, and proceedings records.
justice.president.gov.twSubcommittee Meeting Records Overview
All subcommittees on the official website, where meeting agendas, member lists, and complete meeting materials can be viewed.
View Subcommittee PagesJudicial Reform Conference YouTube Channel
Complete playlists of all subcommittee meeting recordings, viewable by subcommittee and session.
Go to YouTube ChannelJudicial Reform Cannot Stop, Monitoring Must Continue
The adoption of resolutions is merely the starting point; true reform requires continuous attention and pressure from civil society. Support JRF's work to keep the voice of monitoring effective.
2017
Press Conference｜Establishing Comprehensive Supporting Measures is Essential to Build a Solid Pyramidal Litigation Structure
The National Judicial Reform Conference held in 1999 resolved to transform the current cylindrical litigation system…
2017
Press Release | A Humble Request: Research and Pilot Both Lay Participation Systems Before Making a Final Decision
How the public should participate in trials has been under lengthy discussion for five to six years. Both lay assessor…
2017
Press Release | Thorough Reform of the Prosecutorial System is Essential to Realize Prosecutorial Independence!
The functions of the prosecutorial organization differ significantly from those of the courts, yet current laws govern…
2017
Appealing Judicial Issues: The Public is Better at It Than the JRF!
Although the individual evaluation system for judges and prosecutors has been in effect for over five years since…
2017
"Non-lawyers" are the key to the success or failure of the National Congress on Judicial Reform
The Judicial Reform Foundation has closely observed the proceedings of each working group meeting, recorded the…
2017
How Can the National Father on Judicial Reform Be Substantive and Effective? Three Recommendations!
The second-stage group meetings of the National Conference on Judicial Reform are set to begin on February 20. The…
2017
JRF Releases 14 Major Judicial Reform Issues - NGO vs. Official Judicial Reform Issues Press Conference
In active response to the National Consultative Conference on Judicial Reform, the Judicial Reform Foundation (JRF)…
2017
National Conference on Judicial Reform Must Raise Questions from the People's Perspective: Civil Society Coalition Representatives Visit the Ministry of Justice
Preparations for the National Conference on Judicial Reform have entered a critical phase. To urge the Ministry of…
2017
The National Consultative Conference on Judicial Reform Must Involve All Citizens—Representatives of Civil Society Coalitions Visit the Judicial Yuan
To ensure that the National Consultative Conference on Judicial Reform responds to the public's needs and becomes a…
2016
Judicial Reform Means Business, Public Participation is Essential: CSO Coalition Joins the National Official Conference on Judicial Reform
The first phase of soliciting public opinions for the National Official Conference on Judicial Reform is nearing its…
2015
Establishing a Permanent Judicial Reform Committee: Press Conference on Demands and Visits to Presidential Candidates
With the 2016 presidential election approaching, presidential candidates from various political parties have…