The Judicial Yuan yesterday said that seven local district courts will begin a one-year trial run of a new procedure for civil cases in which both plaintiffs and defendants have the option of choosing their own favorite judges to preside.
"It is just like patients have the option of choosing their favorite doctors when they go to the hospitals," a Judicial Yuan official said yesterday.
To clearly explain and demonstrate how the new procedure works, Judicial Yuan President Weng Yueh-sheng (翁岳生) was to host a press conference this morning at the Taipei District Court.
"This is a brand new challenge," the Judicial Yuan official said.
"Taiwan will become the first country in the world to provide the option to plaintiffs and defendants in civil cases to choose their favorite judges," the official said.
According to the Judicial Yuan, these seven local district courts will carry out the new procedure for the next 12 months: the Taipei District Court, the Shihlin District Court, the Panchiao District Court, the Taoyuan District Court, the Taichung District Court, the Tainan District Court and the Kaohsiung District Court.
Using the Judicial Yuan's Web site, as well as the district courts' own Web sites and bulletin boards, the courts will publish the names and background of all their civil judges.
Prior to filing a civil suit, both plaintiffs and defendants will have the chance to view the information and choose their favorite judges.
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