Taiwan Judicial Yuan launches e-filing system for action initiation and briefs exchange

　To promote e-filing for litigation, the Taiwan Judicial Yuan has initiated e-filing services for intellectual property-related administrative suits and tax-related administrative suits since July and September, 2015, respectively.  After that, the coverage of the e-filing services has been expanded to actions at the first and second instances since May 2, 2017, so that the litigants and their representatives and attorneys may make and exchange submissions through the e-filing system (https://efiling.judicial.gov.tw) in the procedures of initiating an action, filing a motion, filing an appeal, filing an interlocutory appeal, and also requesting for re-hearing with the Supreme Administrative Court, all High Administrative Courts, IP Court, and all district courts, for enhancing litigation efficiency and promote national competitiveness. 

　The e-filing system is available 24 hours a day to provide litigants and their representatives with a more convenient processing system.  Written statements delivered through the e-filing system will have the same effect with those submitted in paper, as long as the delivery process thereof has been completed.  In addition, litigants and their representatives will be able to review case files and obtain electronic copies of the adverse party’s written statements and keep up with the case status through the system without going to the court. 

　On April 12, 2017, the Judicial Yuan made an announcement that the coverage of the e-filing service is expanded to cover the intellectual property-related and tax-related administrative suits filed with high administrative courts, IP Court, and administrative tribunals of district courts.  The e-filing system is not available to the matters regarding (1) the briefs or evidence with respect to trade secrets, (2) motions for evidence perpetuation, confidentiality preservation order, provisional attachment, preliminary injunction, injunction maintaining a temporary status quo, and stay of execution, and (3) documents that should be signed in accordance with the laws by the litigants who have no access to the e-filing system (such as, POA and termination of appointment, etc.). 

　To enhance trial efficiency and judicial transparency, the Judicial Yuan has launched the unilateral online system for litigation initiation (namely, the online system is available even if only one party to an action agrees to use the system) and the online integral system for case files review.  Litigants and their representatives may obtain electronic copies of case files to fulfill the paperless purposes.  In addition, at court hearings, litigants, representatives, and judge may take advantage of the online system to present electronic briefs and case files by e-court facilities.  (May 2017)
/CCS