’DIFFICULT TASK’:Cheng Chung-mo recommended the establishment of a ‘pyramid structure’ for the justice system, with the base being the local lower district courts

Taipei Times
Date: Jun 05, 2016
By: Jason Pan / Staff reporter

Former Judicial Yuan vice president Cheng Chung-mo (城仲模) urged the government to initiate reforms to the justice system by abolishing the Judicial Yuan and bolstering lower courts by assigning more judges to district level courts.

He made the remarks at a seminar focused on “new concepts for judicial reform” organized by the Taiwan Law and Policy Research Foundation.

Cheng, chairman of the foundation, said that the Judicial Yuan must be abolished as a priority, as its role — of overseeing the entire courts system and judiciary officials — is superseded by the agency immediately below it, the Supreme Court.

“It is difficult for foreigners to fathom that our nation’s Supreme Court is under the jurisdiction of the Judicial Yuan. If it is called the Supreme Court, then why is there another judicial body above it?” Cheng said.

Following the transfer of power on May 20, Democratic Progressive Party and New Power Party lawmakers have been demanding the resignation of Judicial Yuan President Rai Hau-min (賴浩敏) and his deputy Su Yeong-chin (蘇永欽), but they have resisted calls and have not resigned so new appointments could be made by the government.     [FULL  STORY]