Taiwan Bar Association Slams Examination Ministry Over Lawyer Training Imbalance

Taiwan's National Bar Association has sharply criticized the Ministry of Examination for its inaction on a growing imbalance between legal education and the training of new lawyers. The association warns that this "exam-training imbalance" could severely damage the quality of legal services and the overall health of the judicial system.

Since 2025, the association has repeatedly met with the Examination Yuan, the Ministry of Examination, and the Ministry of Justice. They have proposed specific reforms to the bar exam, including restricting eligibility to individuals with law degrees, lowering the overall pass rate, and increasing the difficulty of the passing threshold.

While the Ministry of Justice acknowledged the issue in a meeting in April, the Ministry of Examination has yet to provide a concrete response. The National Bar Association expressed deep regret over this delay, emphasizing that the continued disparity will only widen the gap between the education system and practical training needs.

Starting next year, the National Bar Association will be responsible for the foundational training of lawyers. They have assessed that the optimal capacity for this training is within 780 individuals annually, considering factors like faculty, facilities, and training effectiveness. The association stresses its commitment to nurturing competent lawyers to uphold judicial quality and ensure citizens receive high-caliber legal representation.