The Functional Transformation of Courts

The global expansion of judicial powers makes no exception to Asia. Most noticeable is the judicial expansion in tandem with unprecedented political and legal reforms that have occurred in the two Asian new democracies – Taiwan and South Korea. Having shared a great deal of similarities in colonial legacy, economic development and global competition, both Taiwan and South Korea became good examples of fast-growing economies with successful democratic transitions. In the context of transition, Courts in Taiwan and Korea are expected to independently resolve disputes to place checks and balances with political powers and safeguard individual rights and freedoms. This book looks into court’s function in constitutional, regulatory, civil, commercial, and criminal matters by making Taiwan and Korea in comparison.