Judicial Yuan

Judicial Yuan
(Constitutional Court)
司法院
Sīfǎ Yuàn (Mandarin)
Su-hoat Īⁿ (Taiwanese)
Sṳ̂-fap Yen (Hakka)
The Judicial Building houses the Constitutional Court
Interactive map of Judicial Yuan
(Constitutional Court)
25°02′16″N 121°30′44″E / 25.0379°N 121.5121°E / 25.0379; 121.5121
Established1947
Dissolved1 October 1949 (Mainland China)
JurisdictionMainland China (1947–1949)
Taiwan Area (from 1949)
LocationZhongzheng, Taipei
Coordinates25°02′16″N 121°30′44″E / 25.0379°N 121.5121°E / 25.0379; 121.5121
Composition methodPresidential appointment with Legislative Yuan consent
Authorised byAdditional Articles and original Constitution of the Republic of China
Judge term length8 years
Number of positions15
Websitejudicial.gov.tw
President and Chief Justice
CurrentlyShieh Ming-yan acting
SinceNovember 1, 2024
Vice President and Justice
CurrentlyPost vacant
SinceNovember 1, 2024
Judicial Yuan
Chinese司法院
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinSīfǎ Yuàn
Bopomofoㄙ ㄈㄚˇ ㄩㄢˋ
Wade–GilesSzu1-fa3 Yüan4
Tongyong PinyinSīhfǎ Yuàn
MPS2Sz̄fǎ Yuàn
IPA[sɹ̩́.fà ɥɛ̂n]
Hakka
RomanizationSṳ̂-fap Yen
Southern Min
Hokkien POJSu-hoat Īⁿ
Tâi-lôSu-huat Īnn

The Judicial Yuan (Chinese: 司法院; pinyin: Sīfǎ Yuàn; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Su-hoat Īⁿ) is the judicial branch of the Republic of China, which previously ruled the mainland and now controls Taiwan. It functions as the Constitutional Court and oversees the courts of Taiwan, including the ordinary courts such as the Supreme Court, high courts, and district courts as well as special courts like administrative, and disciplinary courts. The Judicial Yuan holds the following powers:

  • Interpretation – Acting as the Constitutional Court to interpret the Constitution and other statutes and regulations made by the central or local government.
  • Adjudication – Most civil, criminal, and administrative cases are adjudicated by the respective courts supervised by the Judicial Yuan. The Constitutional Court adjudicate presidential impeachment and political party dissolution cases.
  • Discipline – Disciplinary measures with respect to public functionaries are adjudicated by the Disciplinary court.
  • Judicial Administration – The Judicial Yuan supervises administrative affairs of all courts established by Taiwanese law.

According to the current Constitution, the Constitutional Court consists of fifteen justices. One justice acts as the president of the court, and another acts as the vice president. All justices, including the president and vice president, are appointed by the president of the Republic with the consent of the Legislative Yuan. Upon appointment justices have a term limit of eight years, but this term limit does not apply to the president and vice president.