Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has nominated Chang Wen-chen and Yao Li-ming as the Chief and Deputy Chief Justices of the Judicial Yuan. Vice President Hsiao Mei-chin, who also serves as the convener of the Nomination Review Committee, stated today (August 30) that Chang Wen-chen is the first female nominee for Chief Justice of the Judicial Yuan and is well-versed in judicial reform, while Yao Li-ming has experience in constitutional reform. President Lai hopes that the Judicial Yuan will enhance public confidence in judicial justice.
Vice President Hsiao Mei-chin presided over the “Introduction Press Conference of the Nominees for Chief and Deputy Chief Justices of the Judicial Yuan and Grand Justices of 113 (2024)” today. She explained President Lai’s four core values for the nominations, which aim to enhance the “professionalism,” “progressiveness,” and “internationalization” of the Grand Justices, while balancing “theory and practice.” She introduced the nominees’ backgrounds one by one, hoping to receive the support and approval of the Legislative Yuan to enable the Judicial Yuan and the Constitutional Court to fulfill their constitutional functions, promote the sound operation of the constitutional system, and deepen the protection of the people’s basic rights.
In her speech, Hsiao Mei-chin expressed great honor in hosting this press conference to formally introduce the newly nominated Chief and Deputy Chief Justices of the Judicial Yuan and 5 Grand Justices. The current Chief Justice of the Judicial Yuan, Hsu Tsung-li, Deputy Chief Justices Tsai Chiang-ding and Hsu Chih-hsiung, as well as Grand Justices Chang Ching-wen, Huang Jui-ming, Chan Chen-lin, Huang Chao-yuan, all have terms expiring on October 31.
To ensure a smooth transition of the Grand Justices and the effective exercise of their constitutional functions, Hsiao Mei-chin said that President Lai nominated Chang Wen-chen as a Grand Justice and Chief Justice of the Judicial Yuan, Yao Li-ming as a Grand Justice and Deputy Chief Justice, along with Ho Lo-Chieh, Chen Yun-tsai, Wang Pi-fang, Liao Fu-te, and Liu Ching-yi as Grand Justices, whose nominations will be submitted for Legislative Yuan approval today.
Hsiao Mei-chin mentioned that in his inaugural speech on May 20, President Lai had vowed to continue judicial reform. Therefore, the selections for Chief and Deputy Chief Justices require the determination to drive judicial reform continuously and the ability to lead judicial administration. President Lai also believes that the judicial system should be guided by values. After consulting various sectors and careful consideration, it was decided to nominate the young and outstanding international law scholar Chang Wen-chen to serve as a Grand Justice and Chief Justice and Yao Li-ming, who has become a political opinion leader across party lines due to his outstanding professionalism, to serve as a Grand Justice and Deputy Chief Justice.
Hsiao Mei-chin emphasized that Chang Wen-chen is the first female nominee for Chief Justice of the Judicial Yuan and is well-versed in judicial reform, while Yao Li-ming has experience in constitutional reform and a deep understanding of Taiwan’s democratic development context. Both have obtained law doctorates in the United States and Germany, specializing in constitutional law. This cross-generational and bipartisan combination is expected to lead the promotion of judicial reform with progressive values and accommodate “national legitimate legal sentiments,” strengthening the people’s confidence in judicial justice.
As for the other 5 Grand Justices, Hsiao Mei-chin stated that she is honored to have been appointed by President Lai to serve as the convener of the Nomination Review Committee, which solicited excellent and qualified candidates from various institutions, schools, and organizations, inviting active recommendations or self-recommendations from all sectors of society. The review committee, with an objective and fair position, provides consultations and suggestions on candidates through a thorough and rigorous process for President Lai to nominate. She also expressed President Lai’s gratitude to the former Chief Justice Lai Ying-chao, former Deputy Chief Justice Hsieh Tsai-chuan, former Grand Justice Lin Hsi-yao, and former Chairman Chen Yen-hsi for their hard work and dedication.
Hsiao Mei-chin pointed out that Grand Justices are guardians of the constitution and defenders of human rights. In Taiwan’s deepening democratic history, Grand Justices play a crucial role in safeguarding the order of freedom and democracy. On the path of the country’s sustainable development, Grand Justices serve as a vital pivot in advancing the values of human rights and the rule of law and must keep pace with the world’s trends. Therefore, President Lai’s nominations this time focus on four core values: enhancing the “professionalism,” “progressiveness,” and “internationalization” of the Grand Justices while balancing “theory and practice.”