LAF Not to Offer Legal Aid to Suspects in Grave Economic Crimes

LAF Not to Offer Legal Aid to Suspects in Grave Economic Crimes

Source: United Daily News

November 16, 2018

The Judicial Yuan has budgeted grants of NT$1 billion for the Legal Aid Foundation (LAF) on a yearly basis, and NT$ 1.35 billion has been earmarked for LAF in the budget for next year.

Kolas Yotaka, incumbent Cabinet spokesperson, applied for the LAF’s legal aid to sue lawyer Chen Tsai-yi (陳采邑), seeking damages in the amount of NT$500,000, during her term as a legislator. This case became the focus of attention among legislators at the time. 

When the Judiciary and Laws Committee of the Legislative Yuan reviewed the Judicial Yuan’s annual budget, including grants earmarked for the LAF, yesterday, many legislators reminded the Committee that legal aid was supposed to be used to help the underprivileged, not serve the rich and powerful. LAF chairman Fan Kwung-chun (范光群), who also appeared before the Committee on request, indicated that the LAF board of directors had decided, by resolution, not to offer legal aid to suspects in grave economic crimes, including those for corruption, and for violation of the Securities Exchange Act, or the Banking Act, in the future. 

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