Trainee Sparks Controversy with Post on Judges' Forum; Academy Demands No Recurrence

(CNA, Taipei, June 12, reporter Hsieh Chun-lin) The Judges Academy stated today that regarding a post by a 66th-term trainee surnamed Cheng on the "Judges' Forum" expressing opinions on his personal civil litigation defeat, a full-time mentor and the trainee's current internship mentor have conducted an interview to clarify the situation and have demanded that no similar behavior occurs again.

The Ministry of Justice's Judges Academy issued a press release in response to media reports that the 66th-term trainee, Cheng, who has not yet formally become a judicial officer, posted on the "Judges' Forum" about his personal civil case defeat, requesting a response from all judges, which sparked discussion.

According to the press release, a full-time academy mentor had already clearly warned and counseled the trainee during his first-stage study period last December regarding the potential misuse of public office and violation of judicial ethics by using the "Judges' Forum" to publicly discuss legal opinions on his own case. After learning of the situation today, the academy again instructed the full-time mentor and the trainee's current internship mentor to conduct an interview to clarify and demand that no similar behavior occurs again.

The press release noted that the Judges Academy also discovered in April of this year that the trainee had posted a legal consultation advertisement on Pro360. The academy immediately inquired with the trainee, who stated that the ad was posted before his judicial training and that he had already requested the website to take it down, providing email correspondence as evidence. The academy will also investigate why the ad is still viewable.

The Judges Academy stated that regarding other suspected improper litigation conduct by the trainee, the academy has previously investigated and provided counseling. It will continue to investigate and handle the related disputes prudently and properly in accordance with relevant laws and regulations to respond to the public's concern and expectations for the judiciary.

According to the press release, moderately allowing judicial trainees to browse the "Judges' Forum" has positive benefits, assisting them in understanding the latest legal amendments, recent practical opinions, and judicial personnel news. Therefore, the academy has always respected the decisions of internship courts and prosecutors' offices regarding access permissions. In light of the problems highlighted by this incident, the academy will conduct an in-depth review of whether to open the forum to trainees, as well as the forum's regulations and supporting measures, after soliciting opinions from all parties. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150612