Judicial Reform Chronology
Last edited: 2026-11-09
Judicial Reform Chronology — JRF's Thirty-Year Journey
Since lawyers began preparing for its founding in 1994 and its formal establishment in 1995, the Judicial Reform Foundation has walked thirty years alongside Taiwanese society. From court observation, judge evaluation, and wrongful conviction rescue to the 318 Pro Bono Lawyer Team, the National Conference on Judicial Reform, and the implementation of the Citizen Judges Act, this page records the key moments of JRF and judicial reform in Taiwan.
Why This Chronology?
Judicial reform is not something one person, one movement, or one bill can achieve. This page records the traces of reform that JRF has built up over thirty years together with many civil society organizations, pro bono lawyers, scholars, and the families of those affected.
The page is arranged chronologically and categorized by area of reform. You can use the filter buttons above to focus on a particular area of interest, such as "Wrongful Conviction Rescue," "Judicial Accountability," or "Criminal Procedure Reform." Each event includes a brief description, and photos and related links will be added to some.
1990s
Taichung District Court Judges Launch the "Give Back Judicial Self-Governance" Movement
Judges of the Taichung District Court launched a movement demanding that the annual assignment of judges' duties follow the Court Organization Act, laying the foundation for judicial self-governance.
JRF's First Preparatory Meeting
In October 1994, the Taiwan Bar Association resolved to establish a judicial reform organization, electing Attorney Chen Chuan-yueh as convener and Attorney Lin Yung-sung as deputy convener. The first preparatory meeting was held on November 9.
"Take Back the Box, Give Back Our Independence" Protest
A group of young Taichung District Court judges launched a protest, refusing to submit their judgments to division chiefs and the court president for review and returning only empty boxes, demonstrating their determination to adjudicate independently.
Founding Assembly of the JRF Preparatory Office
After a year of intensive meetings, the preparatory group held an assembly in the auditorium of the National Taiwan University College of Law and announced the formal establishment of the Judicial Reform Foundation Preparatory Office. Legal registration as a foundation was completed on May 9, 1997.
First Court Observation Press Conference
JRF trained 30 lawyers and 29 law students to observe all criminal judges of the Taiwan High Court and Taipei District Court over two months, and held a press conference releasing Taiwan's first civil society empirical report on court observation.
First Judgment Evaluation Press Conference (Su Chien-ho Case)
In January 1996, JRF accepted the application of Su Chien-ho, Liu Bing-lang, and Chuang Lin-xun and invited legal experts Tsai Tun-ming, Lee Mao-sheng, Hsu Chih-hsiung, Hsu Yu-hsiu, and Chuang Po-lin to study the entire case file, then held a press conference releasing the first civil society evaluation of a judgment in an individual case.
Pushing for the "Plan to Strengthen Prosecutors' Courtroom Role"
The Ministry of Justice issued an implementation plan requiring prosecutors to appear in court in major criminal cases, corruption cases, and cases under the Organized Crime Prevention Act, laying the groundwork for prosecutors' full participation and closing arguments at trial.
Judicial Budget Independence Written into the Constitution
On May 9, 1997, civil society representatives met President Lee Teng-hui and secured a commitment to judicial budget independence. The 3rd National Assembly then added a judicial budget independence clause to Article 5 of the fourth round of Additional Articles of the Constitution.
October 19 Judicial Reform March
Together with civil society, JRF formed the "People's Alliance for Judicial Reform," which held the "Walk for the Revival of the Judiciary" march on October 19 against corruption, privilege, discrimination, and carelessness. It was the first time Taiwan's legal professionals took to the streets to launch a social movement.
First Judge Evaluation Press Conference
JRF evaluated 76 criminal judges of the Taiwan High Court and 47 criminal judges of the Taipei District Court for the first time, and held a press conference releasing the results and the names of 6 judges who failed. The evaluation prompted Judge Yang Kuei-chih to file a private prosecution for defamation, which indirectly led to Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 509.
Pushing for Standard Procedures for Executions
On October 20, the Ministry of Justice committed the grave error of executing Chou Hsun-shan before notifying his defense counsel. Civil society held a series of press conferences in protest and, on the eve of Human Rights Day, publicly demanded standard procedures for executions.
Press Conference Releasing the "Blueprint for Judicial Reform"
Because the government had never put forward a plan for judicial reform, civil society, after three years of study and debate, issued the first edition of the "Blueprint for Judicial Reform" as a vision to build consensus.
First New Legal Professionals Camp
Held for newly qualified lawyers, the camp discussed the roles of judges, prosecutors, and defense counsel, as well as the discovery of and compensation for wrongful convictions and the system of cross-examination, aiming to recruit new blood for judicial reform.
National Conference on Judicial Reform
In 1997 civil society met President Lee Teng-hui and secured a promise to convene a "National Conference on Judicial Reform" within six months. After more than two years of continued advocacy and monitoring, it was finally held in July 1999.
2000s
"Walking Toward Dawn" Campaign for the Su Case
With the Su case rescue stalled in its ninth year, civil society launched a daily vigil walk around the Chinan Presbyterian Church that continued for 214 days and successfully pushed the Taiwan High Court to open a retrial.
Hsu Tzu-chiang's Death Sentence Becomes Final
On May 1, JRF received a complaint from Hsu Tzu-chiang's family and defense lawyers and began its 16-year campaign to rescue Hsu.
First Meeting of the RCA Occupational Disease Legal Team
Civil society formed a legal team for the RCA occupational disease case, which held its first meeting at the Taipei Bar Association and decided that JRF would help recruit lawyers and handle administrative work.
First Judicial Reform Forum and Graduate Thesis Award Presentations
The awards support research across law, history, media, and social work. The first recipients were Liu Heng-wen, Cheng Wei-chung, Lin Yi-fang, and Hsiao Hsu-tsen.
Publication of "Shadows of Justice"
A book compiling the facts and rescue records of the wrongful conviction cases of Su Ping-kun, Lu Cheng, Chang Fang-tien, Hsu Tzu-chiang, Su Chien-ho, Liu Bing-lang, and Chuang Lin-xun.
Su Case Defendants Acquitted on Retrial and Released
The Taiwan High Court acquitted Su Chien-ho, Liu Bing-lang, and Chuang Lin-xun on retrial, and the three were released in court, returning to society after nearly 12 years in detention.
New Criminal Procedure System Takes Effect
The Code of Criminal Procedure amendments of January 14 introduced a modified adversarial system, strict rules of evidence, and cross-examination, implementing the resolutions of the National Conference on Judicial Reform.
Legal Aid Act Passes Third Reading
On March 22, 2000, civil society proposed a draft "Basic Legal Aid Act" to secure concrete protection of the right of access to the courts. After more than three years of advocacy, legislation was finally passed so that economically disadvantaged people can also go to court.
Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 582 Issued
The Grand Justices held that the final judgment had improperly deprived Hsu Tzu-chiang of the right to cross-examine his co-defendants, declaring it unconstitutional. The Prosecutor-General then filed an extraordinary appeal, and the Supreme Court vacated the final judgment and remanded the case.
Publication of "Teachers, You Can Do It This Way Too"
Taiwan's first book examining campus issues from both legal and educational perspectives; it won the National Institute for Compilation and Translation's 2006 Human Rights Education Book Award.
First Taipei Legal Professionals Evaluation Press Conference
For the first time, the Taipei District Court, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, and the Taipei Bar Association jointly conducted a "tripartite evaluation" in which judges, prosecutors, and lawyers monitored and evaluated one another, and the results were released.
Ten Years of Judicial Reform Symposium
Reviewing ten years of reform achievements, JRF put forward positive reform goals for a future judiciary that is "high-quality," "humane," "efficient," and "dedicated."
"What Good Are Court Interpreters?" Press Conference
Joining civil society efforts to reform the court interpreter system, JRF held a press conference demanding that the Judicial Yuan budget funds and train personnel so interpreters can fulfill their function.
Press Conference on Plans for the Kingston Donation
The remaining funds were used to establish the "Public Interest Trust Fund for Ethnic Harmony," the "Center for Grassroots Rule of Law Education," and the "Legal Ethics Center."
"We Want a Judges Act" March
A march of more than a thousand people, led by a hundred lawyers and civil society groups, called on the Legislative Yuan to pass the Judges Act immediately and remove bad judges.
Su Case Retried and Converted to Death Penalty
The Supreme Court revoked the not-guilty retrial verdicts for Su Chien-ho, Liu Bing-lang, and Chuang Lin-xun, remanding the case for retrial. After three years of proceedings, the Taiwan High Court sentenced them to death, delivering a severe blow to the wrongful conviction rescue movement.
"Lawyers Unprotected" Press Conference
Attorney Tseng Wen-ch'i was assaulted by an investigator while attempting to review his client's interrogation records. Civil society demanded a thorough investigation into the law-breaking personnel and a review of systemic flaws.
Press Conference Filing Criminal Complaint Against Beitou Precinct Chief
Executive Director and Attorney Lin Feng-cheng filed a criminal complaint against Li Han-ch'ing, Chief of the Beitou Police Precinct, highlighting that police officers committed unlawful searches at White Music (U-Music) during the security operations for Chiang Yun-lin's visit to Taiwan, constituting the offense of malfeasance.
Enactment of the Enforcement Acts for the Two Covenants
Following the enactment of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and their respective Enforcement Acts, principles such as the presumption of innocence, investigation confidentiality, and the defendant's right to counsel began to be used to urge government improvements from the perspective of covenant monitoring.
First Press Conference for the Rescue of Chi Ho-shun
The Chi Ho-shun case holds the record for the longest detention in judicial history. Although still on trial, apart from confessions obtained through torture, there was a glaring lack of evidence. Civil society launched a rescue campaign that continues to this day.
First Press Conference in Support of Chinese Human Rights Lawyers
Marking the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, the legal communities of Hong Kong and Taiwan jointly expressed support for Chinese human rights lawyers for the first time, protesting the Chinese government's persecution and suppression of rights-defending lawyers.
2010s
J.Y. Interpretation No. 670
In response to the constitutional interpretation petition filed by Ko Fang-tse and others—the subjects of *30 Years of Wandering Trials*—the Grand Justices declared Article 2, Paragraph 3 of the Wrongful Imprisonment Compensation Act, which mandated that "no compensation shall be paid for detention resulting from intent or gross negligence," to be unconstitutional, paving the way for the legislation of the Criminal Compensation Act.
Publication of "Rescue the Defendant: A Lawyer's Combat Manual for Police Stations"
Drawing upon the British guide *Police Station Advice: A Guide for Suspects*, and pooling the efforts of dozens of lawyers and scholars through practical experience and numerous group discussions, civil society distilled a concise and practical manual for police interrogation accompaniment.
Death Sentence Finalized in Chi Ho-shun Case
The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, finalizing the death sentence for Chi Ho-shun. Arrested in 1988, Chi was accused of the 1987 dismemberment and murder of female insurance agent Ko Hung Yu-lan in Miaoli County, as well as the December kidnapping of schoolchild Lu Cheng in Hsinchu. JRF has continued its rescue efforts to this day.
Passage of the Judges Act at Third Reading, Establishment of the "Complaint Center"
The *Judges Act*, long advocated by civil society, was finally legislated. Although the product of heavy political compromise and still far from ideal, the Complaint Center was established to assist the public in reporting judges and prosecutors, providing a dedicated grievance hotline service.
Chiang Kuo-ch'ing Acquitted in Retrial
Chiang Kuo-ch'ing was executed by firing squad in 1997. In 2002, JRF assisted Chiang's family in petitioning the Control Yuan, leading to the Control Yuan's official correction issued to the Ministry of National Defense in 2010. On February 1, 2011, JRF assisted the family in applying for a retrial, resulting in an acquittal by the Northern District Military Court.
"Hunting Down Rogue Prosecutors" Special Press Conference Series
Over 50 lawyers spent a year in intensive meetings analyzing Supreme Court cases finalized with acquittals to determine whether prosecutors had engaged in dereliction of duty or abuse of power, subsequently holding four press conferences to advocate for the establishment of a general post-hoc accountability mechanism.
Formation of the "Alliance for Promoting Citizen Participation in Trials"
In response to the Judicial Yuan's promotion of the *Draft Trial-Period Regulations for Citizen Participants*, civil society formed an alliance demanding that citizens hold substantive voting rights on judgments that carry binding force over professional judges, and that public participation in trials be implemented comprehensively.
Abolition of Confidential Case Assignment
Confidential case assignment allowed Supreme Court judges to hide under a protective umbrella of secrecy, easily leading to black-box case allocation that resisted oversight. JRF advocated that case assignments must follow public case-distribution rules.
Hsu Tzu-chiang Released Pursuant to the Criminal Speedy Trial Act
Hsu Tzu-chiang, who had been detained for as long as 16 years, was released following the enforcement of the Criminal Speedy Trial Act, beginning his reintegration into society. Simultaneously, JRF published "The Criminal Speedy Trial Act Killed Chi Ho-shun" to highlight systemic discrepancies.
Su Case Acquittals Finalized
Su Chien-ho, Liu Bing-lang, and Chuang Lin-xun were found not guilty for the third time by the High Court in the third retrial remands. Pursuant to Article 8 of the *Tough Criminal Trials Speedy Implementation Act*, prosecutors were barred from appealing to the Supreme Court, finalizing the criminal case.
First International Expert Review of the Two Covenants
In February 2013, Taiwan invited ten international human rights experts for the first time to review the "National Reports" on the Two Covenants. Civil society groups actively participated, jointly issuing 81 points of *Concluding Observations and Recommendations*.
Huaguang Community Forced Eviction Pro Bono Lawyer Team
The Ministry of Justice carried out two waves of forced demolitions in the Huaguang Community on March 27 and April 24, 2013. JRF joined forces with a pro bono lawyer team to assist residents in defending their right to adequate housing guaranteed by the *International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights*.
Press Conference Reporting Prosecutor General and Special Investigation Division
Prosecutor General Huang Shih-ming twice reported to President Ma Ying-jeou on the Special Investigation Division's probe into lobbying allegations involving Ker Chien-ming and Wang Jin-pyng, triggering the September Political Struggle. JRF demanded legislation to regulate lobbying, the abolition of the Special Investigation Division, a ban on entrapment wiretapping, and accountability for law-breaking personnel.
Joint Press Conference Protesting the Judicial Yuan's Arbitrary Amendment of Court Recording Regulations
Over a thousand lawyers signed a petition opposing the Judicial Yuan's restriction requiring written consent from all present speakers at a hearing before an application for court recording discs could be filed. This prompted the Legislative Yuan to pass the third reading of amendments to Article 90-1 of the *Court Organization Act*, safeguarding citizens' rights to obtain recordings.
318 Anti-Black-Box CSSTA Pro Bono Lawyer Platform
Following the outbreak of the Sunflower Student Movement (318 Movement), JRF assisted over 400 pro bono lawyers in establishing the 318 Anti-Black-Box CSSTA Movement Lawyer Platform, providing 24-hour police interrogation accompaniment and trial defense for students and citizens arrested by police, while assisting victims of state violence in filing private prosecutions and state compensation claims.
Press Conference Launching Comprehensive Pursuit of State Violence
JRF held a press conference declaring its commitment to thoroughly holding accountable the state violence perpetrated during the March 23 Executive Yuan eviction incident of the 318 Movement, assisting victims in filing private prosecutions and state compensation lawsuits.
Amendment to Civil Procedure Payment Orders
Payment orders had been abused and reduced to tools for fraud, saddling victims with debts they never should have borne. Following the amendment, payment orders no longer carry res judicata effect and serve only as a basis for applying for compulsory execution, effectively resolving the abuses after implementation.
Annual Special Publication on Civil-Version Mock Jury Trials
JRF organized four mock jury trials and invited American Judge Craig Iscoe to Taiwan in May to conduct a series of seminars, compiling and publishing the related outcomes in a special issue.
Opening of the Taichung Office
Twenty years after the establishment of the Taipei office, the Taichung office was founded as a new starting point for localizing issues, rooting legal education deeply, and strengthening judicial monitoring across Taiwan.
Establishment of the "Taiwan Forensic Science Alliance"
Combining forensic and legal expertise, JRF initiated the establishment of the "Taiwan Forensic Science Alliance" to deliberate on the establishment of a dedicated national research institute for forensic science.
Nationwide Judicial Reform Movement Kickoff
Civil society organizations jointly launched the "Nationwide Judicial Reform Movement," calling for a permanent judicial reform mechanism. This successfully prompted President Tsai Ing-wen to announce during her May 20 inauguration that a National Judicial Reform Conference would be convened.
Hsu Tzu-chiang Acquittal Finalized
After 9 retrials, 16 years of rescue efforts, and 21 years of litigation, Hsu Tzu-chiang's acquittal was finalized. On December 14, the book *The 1.368-Ping Wait: Hsu Tzu-chiang's Path to Acquittal* was published.
Concluding Meeting of the National Judicial Reform Conference
Following 10 months of opinion solicitation and panel meetings, President Tsai Ing-wen personally convened the concluding meeting and released the outcome report on September 8. Civil society established an alliance on October 6 to monitor the implementation of the resolutions.
Trial Observation of the Lee Ming-che Case in Yueyang
Hsiao Yi-min, Director of the Complaint Center, accompanied family members to the Yueyang Court in Hunan, China, to conduct trial observation for the Lee Ming-che case, safeguarding the rights of Taiwanese citizens to receive a fair trial in China.
Tai Li-shen Constitutional Interpretation Press Conference
Tai Li-shen, a public-interest whistleblower who exposed corruption by his superior, was exempted from punishment by the court but was nevertheless dismissed from his job. JRF assisted him in filing for constitutional interpretation and advocated for the enactment of a *Whistleblower Protection Act*.
Acquittals Finalized in 318 Legislative Yuan Occupation Defense Case
The Taiwan High Court handed down its second-instance judgment finding 22 participants of the 318 Legislative Yuan occupation not guilty. Prosecutors did not appeal, finalizing the acquittals for the entire case.
Gender Judicial Reform Alliance Press Conference
After Judge Chen Hung-pin was dismissed for sexually harassing a judicial assistant, the Disciplinary Court altered its retrial judgment on March 8 to rule that dismissal was unnecessary, causing a public outcry. Civil society formed an alliance demanding the reform of the judiciary's gender blindness.
Press Conference Calling on Control Commissioners to Investigate the "Hsiao Ming-yueh Case"
Wrongful conviction defendant Hsiao Ming-yueh was framed and falsely determined by the court to have played a leading role in an international drug-trafficking ring, resulting in a finalized life sentence. Hsiao's parents visited the Control Yuan to appeal and request an investigation into the case, a reopening of the trial, and the restoration of their son's innocence.
Chen Ching-kuei "Request to Postpone Enforcement of Imprisonment" Rescue Press Conference
Chen Ching-kuei suffered from cerebral visual impairment due to a traffic accident, yet the Kaohsiung Branch of the High Court used his "behavioral expressions being no different from ordinary people" as evidence of feigning blindness to defraud insurance payouts, finalizing a sentence of 1 year and 2 months of imprisonment. JRF held an emergency press conference titled "Wrongful Conviction in Crisis" to appeal for rescue.
Su Ping-kun Case Retrial Verdict Acquittal
Su Ping-kun had been wrongfully convicted for over 30 years. Through JRF's long-term rescue efforts, the retrial resulted in an acquittal, and on August 28, the High Prosecutors Office decided not to appeal, finalizing the acquittal.
Press Conference on Common-Name Victims Taking the Rap for "Frivolous Litigation"
The court's non-prosecution disposition search system was unable to distinguish between litigants with identical names and surnames, accumulating litigation records of individuals sharing the same name and leading prosecutors to mistakenly view the party as a "frivolous litigant." JRF called for corrections to the system's design.
Passage of Third Reading of the *Constitutional Court Procedure Act* Amendment
The draft *Constitutional Court Procedure Act* (formerly titled the *Act Governing the Adjudication of Cases by the Grand Justices of the Judicial Yuan*) passed its third reading in the Legislative Yuan and entered into force three years after promulgation by the President (2021).
Press Conference on the Entry into Force of the Amended Investigation Confidentiality Rules
Civil society set up an Investigation Confidentiality Task Force in 2017 and successfully pushed for amendments to the Regulations Governing the Non-Disclosure of Investigations, which took effect on 15 June. Civil society continued to monitor how the rules were enforced.
Passage of *Judges Act* Amendments
The first amendment to the *Judges Act* introduced progressive measures such as allowing citizens to directly request evaluations and reasonably extending the statute of limitations for requesting evaluations, alongside regressive measures such as revoking civil groups' right to request evaluations. Whether the new law can effectively weed out unfit judges and prosecutors remains to be seen.
Dr. Huang Hui-fu Acquitted in Retrial
The first successful medical litigation retrial resulting in an acquittal highlighted the judiciary's current unfamiliarity and ignorance regarding medical expertise, which urgently needs reform.
2020s
Amendments to the *Prisons Act* and *Detention Act*
The new laws implemented resolutions from the National Judicial Reform Conference, marking a milestone in correctional institution reform. The Ministry of Justice and the Agency of Corrections held intensive meetings between promulgation and formal implementation, inviting civil society groups for exchanges and formulating a total of 31 authorized regulations, substantially raising the density of legal norms.
Trial Observation of Prosecutor Chen Lung-hsiang's Disciplinary Case
In 2019, the Control Yuan passed an impeachment resolution against Prosecutor Chen Lung-hsiang, which the prosecutorial community viewed as an intervention of the supervisory power into judicial independence. In the first instance where the supervisory power and judicial power debated before the Disciplinary Court, JRF mobilized the public to conduct trial observation.
Civil Society Press Conference Monitoring Subordinate Regulations Amendments for the *Judges Act*
JRF called on the Legislative Yuan, before the new *Judges Act* system took effect, to supervise the Judicial Yuan and the Ministry of Justice in amending *Organizational Regulations* to comply with the *Judges Act*, and to hold complementary public hearings on the amendment of subordinate regulations to safeguard dedicated staffing and enhance service efficiency.
Sit-In Protest Against the Provisional Legislative Session's Passage of the *Citizen Judges Act*
Civil society launched a 24-day consecutive sit-in protest to condemn the Democratic Progressive Party for forcing through the draft *Citizen Judges Act*, which excluded the jury system, during the Legislative Yuan's provisional session. Civil society would subsequently establish an alliance to persistently monitor implementation.
Press Conference on the Establishment of the "Crime Victims' Rights Protection Alliance of Taiwan"
Within criminal justice proceedings, crime victims and their families are frequently neglected. Multiple civil society groups concerned with the rights of crime victims established the "Crime Victims' Rights Protection Alliance" to push for legal amendments, while the Judicial Reform Foundation launched a dedicated "Crime Victims' Rights" grievance hotline.
Press Conference on the Establishment of the *Citizen Judges Act* Alliance
In response to the passage of the *Citizen Judges Act*, nine groups concerned with judicial reform established the "Civil Society Alliance for Monitoring the Citizen Judges Act," putting forward five core demands: openness and transparency, open participation, establishment of supporting measures, fair evaluation, and reform through re-amendment.
Press Conference Demanding Public Trials and Open Investigation Reports in the Shih Mu-chin Case
Regarding the Control Yuan's release of its investigation report on the Shih Mu-chin case, which exposed long-term, structural, and systemic collective corruption within the judicial community, JRF demanded that the Executive Yuan and the Judicial Yuan make internal investigation reports public and that trials in the Disciplinary Court concerning judicial corruption cases be open to the public.
"No Such Person | 7th Anniversary Exhibition of the March 24 Executive Yuan Violent Eviction Incident"
The exhibition documented the pro bono lawyer team's seven-year journey assisting individuals who experienced the March 24 Executive Yuan violent eviction incident. Exhibition dates: 2021/09/23–2021/11/27.
"Ocean Dawn—Chi Ho-shun's 32 Forgotten Years" Special Exhibition
Using the exhibition to convey the absurdity and helplessness of state violence experienced by Chi Ho-shun over 32 years, advocating for Chi Ho-shun's exoneration. Exhibition dates: 2021.04.09–2021.05.08.
First Hearing of the Chiou Sung-cheng Case Retrial Investigation
The Chiou Sung-cheng case is an individual case JRF began rescuing in 2017. This marked the first retrial investigation hearing in the Supreme Court following the case's remand.
Statement Urging the Legislative Yuan to Strictly Review the *Special Act for the Judicial Procedures during the Period of Communicable Diseases with Severe Epidemic Conditions*
Regarding the Judicial Yuan's passage of the draft *Special Act for the Judicial Procedures during the Period of Communicable Diseases with Severe Epidemic Conditions*, JRF urged the Legislative Yuan to fulfill its duties by presenting an explanatory statement for the amendment along with three core declarations.
Publication of Attorney Wu Yu-shui's New Book *The Stolen Right to Defense*
Attorney Wu Yu-shui served as a family representative and defense lawyer for defendants in China's "Changsha Public Interest Trio" case. This book records his various experiences and observations as a human rights lawyer in China.
Press Conference for the Establishment of the Rescue Team on the 10th Anniversary of Wang Hsin-fu's Finalized Death Sentence
Marking ten years since Wang Hsin-fu's death sentence was finalized, nine rescue organizations held a press conference to announce the formation of the "Wang Hsin-fu Rescue Team."
Press Conference on Drug Testing Blunders
In response to the systemic flaws in the forensic science system exposed by drug testing blunders, JRF called for the prompt establishment of a national forensic science commission.
Press Conference on Police Performance Management Committees
Addressing unreasonable demands by superiors requiring frontline police officers to court positive media exposure to secure performance metrics, alongside issues violating investigation confidentiality, JRF and allied organizations jointly called for improvements to safeguard the labor rights of frontline police officers.
Concerns Regarding Third Reading Passage of Systems Related to Custodial Dispositions
In response to the third reading and passage of amendments to the *Criminal Code*, the *Enforcement Act of Protective and Reformatory Measures*, and the *Code of Criminal Procedure*, which substantially alter custodial dispositions and introduce provisional placement provisions, JRF and partner groups raised related concerns and proposed monitoring grounded in the CRPD.
Press Conference on Protecting the Public from Being Deceived by "Fake Legal Aid"
Addressing the issue of the "Republic of China Legal Aid Association" exploiting Google keyword advertisements under the name "Legal Aid Foundation" to deceive vulnerable citizens, JRF, LAF, and the Debtors' Self-Help Association held a press conference calling on the government to exercise oversight.
"Grandma's House in Taichung" Exhibition
JRF's Taichung Office borrowed and hosted an exhibition from the Women's Rescue Foundation, documenting the life stories of grandmothers and their historical process of fighting for their rights through lawsuits against Japan. Exhibition dates: 2022.03.08–2022.08.14
Constitutional Court Press Conference on Hsu Kuo-yao Dismissal Case
Regarding the petition concerning the dismissal of Hsu Kuo-yao—who was suppressed by the Kaohsiung City Government for fighting for firefighters' labor rights—JRF assisted in submitting an amicus curiae brief to the Constitutional Court.
Victory in Second-Instance Judgment of the March 24 Executive Yuan Violent Eviction State Compensation Lawsuit
Following over two years of trial proceedings for the "March 24 Executive Yuan Violent Eviction Incident," the Taiwan High Court's civil division dismissed the appeals filed by the city government and city police department in the second-instance judgment, finalizing a victory for the victims.
Seminar on Independent Criminal Case Review Systems
To increase channels for wrongful conviction relief, the 2017 National Judicial Reform Conference recommended that the government study the establishment of an independently functioning "Criminal Finalized Case Review Mechanism." JRF studied the operations of "Criminal Cases Review Commissions" in countries such as the UK and Norway, and hosted a seminar.
CRPD Second International Review
Taiwan held its second international review of the national report under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), inviting 5 international human rights experts to Taiwan for review. JRF also issued separate appeals concerning persons with disabilities accessing justice and the criminal treatment of psychosocially disabled offenders.
Press Conference on the 5th Anniversary of the National Conference on Judicial Reform
Marking the fifth anniversary of the concluding meeting of the 2017 National Conference on Judicial Reform, the JRF and the monitoring alliance held a press conference to track the implementation of judicial reform resolutions, calling on the public: "Do not give up on judicial reform; the final sprint awaits our efforts."
Seminar on Digital Rule of Law and Human Rights Protection
In response to Constitutional Court Judgment No. 13 of 2022 concerning the National Health Insurance database case, the JRF invited various parties to discuss the digital rule of law principles the government should uphold, as well as how to protect citizens' informational self-determination rights to refuse being "digitalized."
Pause / REST: Ko Chung-ming Photography Exhibition
Funded and organized by the JRF and curated by film art director Li Tien-chueh, the exhibition featured three photography series by Hong Kong photographer Ko Chung-ming—"Hong Kong Injuries," "Chronic Hong Kong Injuries," and "Post-Era Revolution"—telling the stories of the people of Hong Kong. Exhibition period: 2022.09.17–2023.01.14.
Court Observation of Judge Chao Po-hsiung
Judge Chao Po-hsiung formerly served as a judge in the civil division of the Taiwan High Court. Following public complaints received by our organization alleging his use of inappropriate language, the JRF initiated court observation to understand his conduct during proceedings.
Amicus Curiae Brief for the Constitutional Court Case on the "Geng-Er Consecutive Panel Rule"
Regarding the controversy over the constitutionality of the "Geng-Er Consecutive Panel Rule," the JRF and the Taiwan Association for Human Rights (TAHR) jointly submitted an amicus curiae brief, expressing concerns over violations of citizens' right to litigation, the principle of public trials, and due process.
Official Implementation of the Citizen Judges Act
The Citizen Judges Act officially took effect, inviting citizens and professional judges to jointly deliberate and adjudicate major criminal cases.
Amendment to the Crime Victim Rights Protection Act Passed
Following three years of efforts by the JRF Crime Victim Rights Protection Alliance, amendments to the Crime Victim Rights Protection Act were finally passed and officially implemented on July 1. The new law expands the scope of protection and services, and accelerates the compensation review process.
"Challengers in the Country of Fraud ♠ The Past, Present, and Future of Human-Head Fraud" Exhibition
Having concerned itself with wrongful convictions related to dummy account fraud and systematic human rights violations since 2013, the JRF hosted an exhibition to shed light on the financial, administrative, and judicial dilemmas faced by fraud victims. Exhibition period: 2023.03.10–2023.12.16.
Third Criminal Retrial Application for Ch'en Ching-k'ai Dismissed
After 13 years of advocacy by our volunteer legal team, Ch'en Ching-k'ai's third application for a criminal retrial was once again dismissed. This case highlights the continued systemic doubts regarding the judiciary's professional judgment and evaluation of evidence involving visually impaired litigants.
Judicial Oversight in the Post-#MeToo Era
In May 2023, Taiwan's #MeToo movement unfolded, prompting the Legislative Yuan to swiftly amend the three gender equality acts during an extraordinary session in July. However, the legal reforms spawned by #MeToo did not end the nightmares of victims, many of whom faced judicial backlash from perpetrators. The JRF and gender advocacy groups continue to monitor this situation.
Victory in the "Call Me by My Indigenous Name" Single-Name Lawsuit
The verdict of the "Single-Name Lawsuit" filed against household registration authorities by the "Call Me by My Indigenous Name Action Group" was released. The Taipei High Administrative Court ruled in favor of the six litigants, paving the way for the Legislative Yuan's third reading and passage of amendments to the Name Act on May 14, 2024.
Public Screening of the Documentary "Letters from Ch'un-p'u"
"Letters from Ch'un-p'u" director Lai Ho-ying, daughter of wrongful conviction victim Lai Ting-fu, documented her father's life story alongside her own personal experiences.
"Beyond the Abyss ｜ On the Path of Wrongful Conviction Rescue" Exhibition
Wrongful conviction rescue has long been a core mission of the JRF. Through the "Beyond the Abyss" exhibition, the general public is invited to witness the harsh realities faced by innocent individuals. Exhibition period: 2024.03.01–2024.11.30.
Protest Against the Unlawful Handcuffing of a Social Worker
On March 12, 2024, a social worker from the Child Welfare League Foundation was handcuffed and led away in connection with a child abuse and homicide case. The news footage caused widespread uproar and trauma within the social work community. The JRF issued a statement, and within three days, over 200 social work and mental health organizations signed on in a joint call to eradicate the systemic incentives behind unlawful police practices.
Constitutional Court Oral Arguments on the Death Penalty Case
The Constitutional Court held oral arguments on the morning of April 23, 2024, concerning the death penalty cases, including the petition filed by Wang Hsin-fu.
First International Review of Taiwan's State Report under ICERD
Taiwan held its first international review meeting on its State Report for the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), which was adopted in 1971.
Establishment of the Special Task Force on Congressional Reform
On May 17, 2024, physical clashes broke out in the Legislative Yuan during deliberations on bills concerning congressional reform, prompting citizens to spontaneously gather outside the legislature, giving rise to the Bluebird Movement. As a judicial advocacy organization, the JRF issued a statement, organized relevant legal issues, and subsequently resolved to establish a dedicated task force on congressional reform for ongoing monitoring.
Amicus Curiae Brief on the Unconstitutionality of the Congressional Reform / Power-Expansion Bills
In response to the immense public attention and discussion sparked by the congressional reform / power-expansion bills in Taiwan society, our organization also submitted an amicus curiae brief to assist the Constitutional Court in adjudicating the related controversies.
Victory in Hsiao Na's Legal Case for Gender Marker Change Without Surgery
Transgender individual Hsiao Na applied to household registration authorities for a gender marker change, which was denied based on existing Ministry of the Interior administrative interpretations requiring surgery. Following administrative appeals and an administrative lawsuit, the court ultimately ruled in favor of the plaintiff, Hsiao Na.
Winner of the World Justice Challenge Award
The World Justice Challenge (WJC) is a major international project competition organized by the international organization World Justice Project. Our organization stood out among 424 civil society organizations worldwide.
Premiere of the TV Series "Presumption of Innocence"
"Presumption of Innocence," a television series adapted from the JRF's rescue case of "Hsu Tzu-chiang," premiered.
Constitutional Court Ruling on the Constitutionality of the Death Penalty
The Constitutional Court delivered its ruling on the constitutionality of the death penalty (Constitutional Judgment No. 8 of 2024), declaring the death penalty constitutional on the grounds of fulfilling the criminal law's deterrent function and just retribution. However, it mandated more robust procedural protections in cases involving the absence of defense counsel in the third instance, lack of mandatory defense during investigation, lack of a unanimous court verdict, or defendants with mental disabilities. Civil society organizations jointly expressed regret through a press conference and pledged to continue monitoring the reform of due process provisions.
First Retrial Investigation Hearing for the Wang Lung-ch'ang Case
In September 2024, through the efforts of the volunteer legal team, the case finally passed review by the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office's Review Committee for Finalized Conviction Cases, leading the prosecutor to file for a retrial.
Civil Retrial Remand First Instance Verdict in Favor of the Su Chien-ho Case
Regarding the Hsichih Wu Ming-han couple murder case, the criminal-附帶 civil damages suit filed by the victims' families in 1992 was taken up by the civil court following the finalization of the criminal proceedings. After a lengthy trial process, the civil division of the High Court delivered a verdict in favor of the plaintiffs on November 1.
November 22 Citizens' Vigil to Safeguard the Constitution
In response to the legislative controversies surrounding proposed amendments to the Constitutional Court Procedure Act, our organization and allied groups jointly initiated a citizens' vigil to safeguard the constitution, putting forward critiques and recommendations regarding the issues in this legislative amendment.
Series of Seminars on Pluralistic Judicial Accountability
Following the consecutive publication of reform observation reports on the first and second anniversaries of the Judges Act, and noting that by the fourth anniversary only a single citizen-requested evaluation case had been established, the JRF and multiple bar associations jointly organized seminars to discuss future directions for legal reform.
Statement Condemning the Unlawful Execution of Huang Lin-k'ai
The Ministry of Justice carried out an execution on January 16, 2025 (the Huang Lin-k'ai case). Civil society organizations issued a statement of condemnation, arguing that the execution violated procedural justice and the intent of Constitutional Judgment No. 8 of 2024.
Press Conference on the Release of the Victim Alliance's "Civil Evaluation Report"
Marking the first anniversary of the implementation of the new Crime Victim Rights Protection Act, the Crime Victim Rights Protection Alliance held a press conference releasing a 15-page anniversary evaluation report, putting forward 10 major demands and 20 recommendations.
New Amendments to the Constitutional Court Procedure Act Take Effect; Constitutional Court Paralyzed
The amendments to the Constitutional Court Procedure Act passed by the opposition alliance took effect. Because there are currently only 8 sitting Grand Justices, under the revised provisions, the Constitutional Court has since been stalled for over 270 days—marking the most significant structural event in judicial reform over the past two years.
RightsCon, the Global Digital Rights Summit, Comes to Taiwan for the First Time
Hosted by the international organization Access Now, RightsCon was held in Taiwan for the first time. The JRF and multiple civil society groups jointly presented 9 major demands to the Taiwan government.
Press Conference on the "Four Laws for Wrongful Conviction Relief"
Our organization held the third press conference in the series "How Difficult Are Hard Cases, and Why Are Wrongful Convictions Wrongful?", calling for the passage of the "Four Laws for Wrongful Conviction Relief" to open up new perspectives in wrongful conviction remedies.
Press Conference Marking the One-Year Implementation of Hong Kong's Basic Law Article 23
Hong Kong Outlanders, alongside several Taiwanese civil organizations and the Legislative Yuan's "Taiwan-Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship Alliance," held a press conference at the Legislative Yuan to focus attention on the human rights situation in Hong Kong.
Press Conference: "Stop Making Things Difficult for Crime Victims; The Statute of Limitations for Compensation Claims Should Be Relaxed"
Our organization held a press conference calling for the relaxation of the statute of limitations for crime victim compensation claims, so as to fulfill the legislative purpose of the Crime Victim Rights Protection Act.
Joint Statement Opposing the Relaxation of the "Rules on the Execution of Death Sentences"
Civil society organizations jointly signed a statement opposing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government's pre-announcement on March 24, 2025, of draft amendments to the "Rules on the Execution of Death Sentences" that would significantly loosen restrictions on carrying out executions, viewing it as a rollback of human rights.
Press Conference on the Second-Instance Verdict of the Sanchung Police Assault Case
Following the second-instance verdict in the case where police officers from the Sanchung Precinct in New Taipei City mistakenly identified Mr. Huang Lien-shun as a wanted suspect and subjected him to violence, the JRF issued a statement declaring: "As long as the performance evaluation system remains unimproved, police violence will not be an isolated incident."
Hsueh Ch'ing-piao Acquitted in Retrial Finalized
Hsueh Ch'ing-piao was acquitted in his retrial. Under Taiwan Chiayi District Court 2024 Zai-Zi No. 2 Judgment, the prosecutor did not appeal, finalizing the acquittal in the retrial.
Opening of "Becoming an Ordinary Person" JRF 30th Anniversary Exhibition
Marking its 30th anniversary, the JRF held the "Becoming an Ordinary Person ｜ JRF 30th Anniversary Special Exhibition" at both its Taichung office and the 228 National Memorial Museum, reviewing past human rights transformations and looking ahead to the future of judicial reform.
Legislative Yuan Votes on Grand Justice Consent Nominations; All 7 Nominees Rejected
The Legislative Yuan held a confirmation vote on Grand Justice nominees, with all 7 nominees—including Tsai Chiu-ming (nominee for President of the Judicial Yuan) and Su Su-e (nominee for Vice President)—failing to pass, leaving the Constitutional Court to continuously idle.
Opening of "Fleeing to the Last Room: JRF Digital Rule of Law Special Exhibition"
Organized by the Taichung office, the Digital Rule of Law Special Exhibition opened in cooperation with units such as the Taichung Bar Association, reviewing and discussing digital human rights issues.
Su Case Civil Lawsuit Remanded for Second Retrial
Regarding the damages suit involving Su Chien-ho, Liu Bing-lang, Chuang Lin-xun, and their families, the Supreme Court vacated the civil retrial judgment on August 21, 2025, remanding the case for a second time.
Civil Society Draft Amendments to the Criminal Code and Enforcement Act of the Criminal Code
Echoing the Constitutional Court's adjudication of the case concerning "excessively short statutes of limitations for prosecution in sexual offenses against minors," our organization proposed civil society draft amendments to the Criminal Code and the Enforcement Act of the Criminal Code.
Hsiao Ming-yueh Case Criminal Retrial Application Dismissed
In Hsiao Ming-yueh's wrongful drug-trafficking conviction case, the Supreme Court dismissed the volunteer legal team's application on September 4, 2025, via Criminal Ruling 2025 Tai-Kang-Zi No. 1453.
Press Conference Marking 270 Days of Constitutional Crisis
The Alliance for Civil Monitoring of Judicial Yuan Grand Justice Nominees held a press conference marking 270 days of paralysis in the Constitutional Court, calling on the opposition alliance not to evade its supervisory duty.
Joint Statement Opposing the Executive Yuan's Punitiveness-Enhancing Legal Amendments
Civil society organizations jointly opposed the Executive Yuan's announced draft amendments to the Criminal Code, the Enforcement Act of the Criminal Code, and the Prison Act, which would introduce provisions for "life imprisonment without parole" on a broad scale.
Press Conference on the Control Yuan's Thorough Investigation into Death by Delayed Medical Treatment in Correctional Facilities
With cases of death resulting from delayed medical treatment in custody frequently occurring, the JRF called on the Control Yuan to conduct a thorough investigation and initiate an open call for cases.
Press Conference: 35 Years of Wandering Courts Later, Dawn Breaks Once Again for the Su Case
With the civil proceedings of the Su case once again remanded for retrial by the Supreme Court, the Su Chien-ho Case Rescue Team held a press conference to explain the case's progress and called public attention to the issue of protracted litigation.
Annual Forum of the Lei Chen Democracy and Human Rights Memorial Lecture Series
The Lei Chen Democracy and Human Rights Public Trust Fund held its 2025 Annual Forum: "The Legacy of *Free China* and the Trials of Contemporary Democracy."
Press Conference Opposing the Vicious Law of "Life Imprisonment"
The Covenants Watch, Taiwan Association for Human Rights, Taiwan Innocence Project, Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty, JRF, and multiple other organizations jointly signed a statement opposing punitiveness-enhancing legal amendments such as "life imprisonment without parole."
Statement of Public Solidarity with the Constitutional Court
Following the Legislative Yuan's third reading and passage of amendments to the Constitutional Court Procedure Act on December 20, 2024, raising the threshold for deliberation in the Constitutional Court, our organization issued a statement calling for an end to legislative and executive infighting, urging public solidarity with the Constitutional Court.
Release of the Parallel Report for the Fourth International Review of the Two Covenants
Our organization and multiple civil society groups jointly released the parallel report for the fourth international review of the Two Covenants, holding a press conference and public discussion forum.
Press Conference on the Disciplinary Court's Prosecutor Leaking Case
The Disciplinary Court's Professional Judgment Division rendered disciplinary judgments in prosecutor Wu Ya-hsuan's leaking cases (2025 Cheng-Zi Nos. 1 and 4). The JRF held a press conference calling on the Professional Judgment Division not to establish lenient ethical standards for prosecutors.
Constitutional Court Judgment No. 1 of 2026
The Constitutional Court rendered Judgment No. 1 of 2026 [Case on defense counsel filing quasi-appeal against detention disposition]. Our organization issued a statement declaring that safeguarding people's rights and the 8 Grand Justices' duties are inescapable.
Press Conference on the Eve of Judicial Day Reflecting on Stalled Reforms
Marking President Lai Ching-te's 1st anniversary in office, polls by several media outlets showed a decline in approval ratings. On the eve of Judicial Day, our organization reflected on stalled reforms and called on the Lai administration to restart social dialogue and build consensus on reform.
"Wandering Courts" Call for Cases Press Conference
Inheriting the spirit of the thirty-year litigation rescue of Mr. Chang Kuo-lung and Mr. Ko Fang-tse under Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 725, the JRF launched a call for cases for "Wandering Courts."
Attorney Li Ming-ju Assumes Office as Executive Director
Effective February 1, attorney Li Ming-ju assumed office as Executive Director of the JRF, while former Director of the Legal Policy Department, attorney Lu Cheng-yen, took over as Deputy Executive Director.
Press Conference on Seven Proposals for Detention Reform
In response to numerous criminal cases that captured public attention in 2025, our organization put forward seven major propositions on detention reform addressing controversies such as "detention decisions swinging back and forth between the first and second instances" and "whether detention on the grounds of collusion is appropriate."
Press Conference: "Preventing Transnational Repression: Establish Protective Mechanisms Immediately"
Following the splashing of red paint on the Muay Thai studio of Tong Wai-hung, a Hong Kong resident in Taiwan and participant in the Anti-Extradition Law Amendment Bill Movement, civil society groups jointly called on the Taiwan government to immediately establish protective response mechanisms to counter transnational repression in Taiwan.
Civil Society Draft Amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure on Robust Fact-Finding
Taiwan's Code of Civil Procedure has long lacked a comprehensive review of evidence rules and methods of investigating evidence. Our organization launched a civil society draft for "robust fact-finding," advocating for strengthening the first instance before discussing a pyramid-structured appeal to the third instance.
"Thirty Years of Judicial Reform: New Reform Blueprint and Future Prospects" Symposium
The JRF held the "Thirty Years of Judicial Reform" academic symposium at National Taiwan University College of Law, where civil society gathered to chart the next steps for reform as a milestone for the 30th anniversary.
International Review of the Fourth State Reports under the Two Covenants
The international review meetings for Taiwan's fourth state reports under the Two Covenants (ICCPR and ICESCR) were held from May 11 to 15, inviting 12 world-class human rights experts to gather in Taiwan for the review.
Statement Opposing Hsu Hsi-hsiang as Acting Prosecutor-General
Following the expiration of Prosecutor-General Hsing Tai-chao's term, President Lai Ching-te nominated Hsu Hsi-hsiang for Prosecutor-General, which was rejected by the Legislative Yuan, only to then appoint him as Acting Prosecutor-General. Our organization issued a statement arguing that this move raises legality and democratic-constitutional concerns.
Six Major Reform Areas
Events on this page are categorized into the following six areas. You can use the filter buttons above to quickly focus.
Court observation, judge/prosecutor evaluation, Judges Act legislation and oversight.
Legal aid, judicial budget independence, public participation in trials, Citizen Judges Act.
Cross-examination, strict evidence rules, Two Covenants, non-disclosure of investigations, Constitutional Court Procedure Act.
Individual cases such as Su Chien-ho, Hsu Tzu-chiang, Chiang Kuo-ching, Chiou Ho-shun, Wang Hsin-fu, and Wang Lung-ch'ang.
JRF organizational development, social movements, volunteer legal teams, national congresses.
Camps, forums, publications, exhibitions, documentaries, public communication.
Thirty Years, We Have Never Stopped
Judicial reform has no end point. Every wrongful conviction, every evaluation, and every legal amendment requires continuous oversight and action.
We invite you to walk forward with us.
This article is an AI-generated translation of the original Chinese text. In the event of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.
