Groups voice opposition to ‘lay judge system’ billWOLVES AND RABBITS: An attorney said that the draft changes to the judicial system would pit the opinions of ordinary citizens against those of professional judgesBy Jason Pan / Staff ReporterCivil groups yesterday joined the Taiwan Jury Association and the New Power Party (NPP) in opposing the Judicial Yuan’s proposed “lay judge system” bill, instead calling for a jury system, which they said would curtail corruption, so-called “dinosaur judges” and political interference. Attorney Jerry Cheng, third left, accompanied by members of civil groups, the Taiwan Jury Association and New Power Party legislators, speaks at a news conference in Taipei yesterday. Photo: Peter Lo, Taipei TimesCheng called the bill “fake judicial reform,” saying that it made a false promise to allow citizen participation in the judicial system. “The jury system allows true citizen participation in the courts. “That is why the public hopes to see real judicial reform, but the lay judge system would permit the judges to hold on to their power,” it said.

Source: Taipei Times April 16, 2020 15:56 UTC