In line with the oral argument standardization of the Supreme Court and institutionalization of the Grand Chamber, the Supreme Prosecutors Office established the Litigation Section on February 26, 2019. This section was officially inaugurated and began operations on the same day, signifying a pioneering innovation in the world of prosecution.
The Supreme Prosecutors Office Litigation Section, which emulates the Office of the Solicitor General of the US Department of Justice, is headed by Ms. Lili Chan, Head Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors Office, who leads an elite team of five prosecutors (Chu Fu-Mei, Eric Chen, Tsai Jui-Tsung, Wu Hsun-Lung, and Huang Tse-Ju), and is responsible for drafting briefs and making appearances at oral arguments before the Supreme Court (including both regular appeals as well as Grand Chamber cases). It is also responsible for providing legal opinions regarding cases being handled by first and second-instance prosecutors as well as opinions to the Ministry of Justice regarding amendments to existing laws. Essentially, the mission of this new unit is to strengthen the debating ability of prosecutors and to serve as a think tank for the Ministry of Justice.

With a view to prescribing clearly defined restrictions on border and island exit associated with criminal proceedings and safeguarding the right to freedom of movement and residence, the Code of Criminal Procedure was amended to include new Restrictions on Border and Island Exit in Chapter VIII-I. As per Ordinance Hua-Zong-I-Yi-Zi No. 10800059991 issued by the President on June 19, 2019, this amendment took effect six months after promulgation. According to Article 93-3, paragraph 1 of this statute, “During an investigation, the restriction period imposed by the prosecutor on the defendant from crossing the border and/or exiting the island may not exceed eight months. However, if an extension of a restriction is necessary, a written petition, along with specific reasons, shall be submitted to the court with jurisdiction for a ruling at least 20 days prior to the expiration of the restriction period. At the same time, the defendant and defense attorney shall be notified with a transcript of the written petition.” The main focus of this amendment was to mandate that restrictions imposed by prosecutors during an investigation be limited to eight months, and that written petitions be submitted to the court with jurisdiction for a ruling where an extension of a restriction is deemed necessary. This represents a major legal change with a significant impact on prosecutorial practices in the field of border/island exit restrictions.

Prosecutor Wang Tien-Sheng of the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office reached mandatory retirement age and resigned from her duties. The Ministry of Justice assigned Deputy Head Prosecutor Sung Kuo-Yeh from the same office to serve as her acting replacement.