Hsu Jui-hsi Wins Lawsuit to Confirm TPP Membership; Court Releases Reasons

Hsu Jui-hsi, who was 17th on the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) list for at-large legislators, announced her resignation from the party on Facebook the year before last but did not submit a formal written notice. The TPP subsequently cancelled her membership. Hsu filed a lawsuit to confirm her party membership and won. The Taipei District Court released its reasons for the verdict today.

The court noted that Hsu applied to join and was approved as a TPP member on August 31, 2023, and paid her annual dues in January 2024. On August 24, 2024, she posted a resignation statement on Facebook. However, TPP bylaws state that 'members may notify the party of their resignation in writing.' The party cancelled her membership on December 20 of that year before she provided any written notice.

Hsu argued that her Facebook post was an expression of opinion to the general public and not a formal notification to the party, nor did it comply with the written requirement. The TPP countered that the post was sufficiently clear and public, and that written notice shouldn't be limited to specific paper formats.

The court ruled in favor of Hsu on the 23rd, stating that resignation is a unilateral act terminating a legal relationship and must strictly follow the procedures in the bylaws to ensure clarity of status. Furthermore, Hsu continued to receive internal party emails regarding elections and bylaws as late as December 25, indicating that the party still treated her as a member. The court rejected the TPP's argument of 'established custom' based on 7 other members resigning via social media, stating that violations of the bylaws are not validated by a lack of prior challenges.