Empirical Law and Economics in Taiwan: A Thirty-Year Review

Abstract

This review examines the application of empirical methods to legal questions in Taiwan over the past three decades (1994–2024). The chronological trend reveals that the use of empirical methods remains heavily influenced by the doctrinal traditions of mainstream scholarship. The emergence of technological advancements has made empirical methods more accessible. However, the method remains underdeveloped in Taiwan due to the narrowly defined and highly specialized nature of legal scholarship, coupled with a lack of training in empirical methodologies. To address these challenges and facilitate the development of empirical law and economics, I propose three systematic reforms: creating method-based research groups, revising promotion matrices, and reforming legal education.