In a landmark decision, a high court in London has ruled that a British citizen found guilty in a fatal hit-and-run case in Taiwan should pay civil damages to the victim’s family as ordered by a Taiwanese court.
The London high court’s ruling is also effective in other European Union countries. It is significant as it sets a rare precedent for a ruling made by a court in Taiwan to be upheld by legal authorities in countries that do not have official ties with Taiwan.
According to the ruling on Friday, Zain Dean will have to pay over NT$9 million (US$300,000) to the family of Huang Chun-te. Huang was killed in March 2010, when delivering newspapers.
Dean was sentenced to four years in prison in July 2012 on charges of driving under the influence and manslaughter. But he fled Taiwan the flowing month using a friend’s passport. Dean is now fighting extradition in a court in Scotland.
Taiwan’s justice ministry on Saturday welcomed the ruling. Deputy Justice Minister Chen Ming-tang hailed the ruling as a "true showing of justice". He also called this a "great example of mutual judicial cooperation".