Original subtitles

Do you think Li Zheng-hong can beat

U.S. Photonics?

Do you want the truth?

No.

No?

No... I mean, yes.

I want him to try his best.

What do you expect him to achieve as a lawyer?

To sustain himself.

Free legal advice...

Free legal advice...

Free legal advice...

In the U.S. judicial system,

lots of time, effort and money are spent

to find something to convince the jury...

Recording suspended.

End of recording.

Free legal advice...

Free legal advice...

Free legal advice...

Free legal advice...

Free legal advice...

Free legal advice...

Free legal advice...

Let's go home, Zheng-hong.

Mom?

It's almost done.

I'll go home soon.

Free legal advice.

Free legal advice...

Free legal advice.

Hi, sir.

Hi, Zheng-hong.

I've got everything ready

for the Yao Feng case.

Thank you.

Sir,

can I help with

the Yao Feng lawsuit?

Hua-fang, correct Zheng-hong's typos.

Okay.

Wait!

And the data...

I want you to examine it.

Yes, sir.

I've been here for three years,

and I've never helped with any lawsuits.

Zheng-hong...

you're blind.

I don't think you can do it.

But...

I need you to analyze and study the case law.

Just help me with it,

okay?

But... -And...

You'll have to sit in for Hua-fang

for legal consulting this afternoon.

I want to talk to her

about the Yao Feng case.

Hi, Mr. Lin.

How do I help you with the lawsuit?

No, thanks.

I've got a lawyer.

But

I can give you better service

and charge you less.

Thank you.

But no, thanks.

I won't charge you if I don't win.

Mom...

Just stop complaining,

No flat is 100% perfect.

We don't need a new flat.

I've told you. I like it here.

But a place with an elevator is better for your bad knees.

I prefer walking up the stairs.

It's good exercise for me.

But with a place with an elevator,

you can choose to take the elevator or the stairs.

But...

I don't want to spend

your savings on a new flat.

You're stubborn.

And you take it from me.

Thank you for joining us

to find out more about DMT pain treatment.

The Chinese medicine is combined with the Western one.

We just press acupoints

without touching the aching parts,

and without acupuncture

or medication,

or even surgeries,

to ease the pain effectively

in a short time.

Excuse me, Mr. Jiang.

What kinds of pain can we treat?

Almost all kinds of pain.

I can show you now.

Miss Zheng?

Mr. Chen?

I'm sorry.

Don't you have a pain in your knees?

Mr. Jiang is showing us the treatment.

He'll treat you.

It's free of charge.

Miss Zheng.

Which knee hurts?

Both.

Okay.

Mr. Jiang...

I've got the money

for the course.

But Miss Zheng...

that's not the point.

The DMT course

is for doctors.

But

Dr. Chen told me that

DMT is similar to an acupoint massage

with a different theory.

My son had got a masseur certificate

before he became a lawyer.

I can't allow it.

Miss Zheng!

You...

Come on.

Mr. Jiang...

I'm old.

I don't know how much longer I can take care of him.

Can you make an exception and take him?

But he is a lawyer.

He can take care of himself.

He's a lawyer,

but he's not an attorney.

What do you mean?

Do you want a blind attorney?

Hi.

We need legal advice.

Have a seat.

Thanks.

May I know your name?

I'm Miss Yeh.

And this is my mom.

Yeah.

Miss Yeh and Mrs. Yeh...

I need you to fill in the form.

Okay.

I'm Li Zheng-hong from Ding-bang Law Firm.

How can I help you?

We want to sue my parents' old employer.

What happened?

Miss Yeh's dad died of cancer

because of the chemical wastewater.

Her mom used to work in the same plant.

And she has cancer because of the same reason.

Ling-ling?

It's a small and simple case of civil claim.

We don't want small cases.

Ling-ling?

It's the judgment of the first instance

of Marseille vs. City Government.

From the judge's point of view,

we may not have a chance in the second instance.

Go discuss with them,

and get ready for the third instance now.

Yes, sir.

Go on.

Sir...

According to the briefs from City Government,

I've found something doubtful

about the Marseille case.

Good job.

Sir...

Can I have a try

at Miss Yeh's small lawsuit?

Dao-ze...

I want you to help Miss Yeh

in the name of your law firm.

The case will be mine,

but the legal fee will be yours.

If I have any questions, I'll ask you.

But it's not fair to the client.

It's just a small case.

But I'll try my best to help Miss Yeh.

It's not fair to your boss, either.

Is he fair to me at all?

In his firm,

I'm not actually an attorney.

But...

it's a matter of legal ethics.

Dao-ze...

you've helped a lot

since we were little.

What have I always told you?

I've got you a gift.

No, it's not that.

I would've helped you if I could,

but I can't.

Free of charge?

Why?

For your case,

I've got you a subsidy from the firm.

A subsidy?

For us?

My boss said yes.

And he wanted me to help you.

Free of charge.

Thank you, Attorney Li.

Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

Please get the documents ready.

And we'll meet when we're both available.

Okay.

I've got to go.

Bye.

Bye!

Shu-ting...

they're a big multinational corporation.

Don't waste your time, okay?

But we need to fight for it.

The price you have to pay for a lawsuit

isn't just legal fee, you know.

Can't you just support me?

Attorney Li, I'm Yeh Shu-ting.

I'm at your gate.

I'm a lawyer, Mom.

I don't need to learn to be a masseur.

But it's not a normal massage.

I've tried it.

Mr. Jiang pressed two acupoints of mine

and the pain in my knees was gone.

So what?

With a normal massage, you earn NTD100 for 10 minutes.

With DMT,

you earn thousands for one massage.

I'm a lawyer, Mom,

not a masseur.

Yeah, I know.

But you'll earn more with more skills.

I can earn enough as a lawyer!

It's “The Art of Cross-examination”.

Can you record it for me?

Thank you.

We have more people today.

More people?

They're from our self-help group,

my parents' old colleagues at U.S. Photonics.

But...

these old friends of theirs

are all suffering from cancer

because of the same company.

Wait, Attorney Li.

I'm opening the door.

Here comes the lawyer.

Here are the slippers.

This way.

But he's a blind lawyer.

Damn!

He's blind.

Is he indeed a lawyer?

Let me introduce you.

This is our attorney,

Mr. Li Zheng-hong.

Hi, everyone.

Hi, Attorney Li.

Hi.

I heard your boisterous chitchat.

Please have a seat, Attorney Li.

Ding-bang Law Firm.

It's the largest in Taiwan.

Who among you is blind too?

Please tell me.

Nobody?

I'm blind,

but I'm a lawyer.

You're not,

but you're the labor.

Attorney Li!

Attorney Li...

You have to help us, Attorney Li!

Attorney Li...

Why do I have to help you?

Because...

Because you're no different from us.

No, we're completely different.

But you were treated unfairly.

That was why I walked away.

So you're no different from us.

We're all helpless people

who have been treated unfairly.

Attorney Li...

If you want to make a claim,

can you prove it?

Prove what?

That it's an occupational injury.

We've got cancer because of the plant.

Of course it's an occupational injury.

Just ask for medical certificates

to prove that it really is.

We can't prove that Zhang Chun-lian has got cancer

because of occupational injury.

Can you do some tests to see if she has carcinogens

related to the chemical wastewater

from the plant?

Even if she does,

we can't prove that it's an occupational injury.

We need her complete history of work

and research of epidemiology.

But...

it's beyond my reach.

I'm sorry.

Without the certificate,

we can't ask them for a claim?

We used to be employed by U.S. Photonics

and have got the same kind of cancer.

Isn't it enough evidence?

Attorney Li...

what are we going to do?

I'm Irene.

Regional Vice Manager of U.S. Photonics.

Mark.

Regional Manager

Attorney Li Zheng-hong.

Ding-bang Law Firm.

Is it the lawyer, Zhao Ding-bang?

Yes.

Fine.

Tell us.

On behalf of 63 ex-employees of U.S. Photonics,

I'm here to make a claim for occupational injury.

What the hell are you doing?

What's wrong, sir?

What were you doing in U.S. Photonics?

To make a claim for occupational injury

for some friends.

What do you have against me?

No, I don't.

You don't?

Don't you know I'm the legal adviser for them?

I'm dead.

It's me against my own boss.

You're not dead yet.

He'll always be your teacher.

Dao-ze?

If I'm fired,

I'll work for you, okay?

Are you kidding me?

I'd rather hire a pretty girl

or someone who's not blind.

I don't want you.

You're relentless.

This will be my first lawsuit case.

Listen...

A lawsuit case is like a business deal.

You need a good deal.

Summary of the Study

on the Environmental Dispute in the U.S.

This is about the dispute resolution

Start recording now.

A complete exposure pathway should include

the following four elements.

The claim for injury by water pollution in Niigata, Japan.

District Court of Niigata, Japan.

September 29th, 1971.

Judgment of the first instance.

No.642 of Law Case Precedents.

Mom?

I need to...

make an apology to you.

Why?

We've read so many precedents.

The lawsuit will last for five or six years.

I'm blind.

It'll take me longer.

If you want to go on,

I'll help you.

Mom...

thank you.

Don't mention it.

Yeah, Mom...

The down payment for the new flat

is enough to cover our daily life

for a couple of years

if we live frugally.

The money...

What about it?

I paid for the DMT course with it.

NTD600,000?

For a massage course?

Yeah.

But I'm not doing it.

You have to do it.

It's good for you.

Good for me?

It will impede me.

You earn thousands in a few minutes for one DMT massage.

Ten massages a month and you can sustain yourself.

Ten massages a month and you can sustain yourself.

You'll get to defend anyone in court.

I don't want it!

Get a refund.

No, I will not!

Where are you going, Li Zheng-hong?

Come back!

Three years ago when you couldn't find a job,

I hired you.

And I'm grateful to you.

But I don't want an ordinary job.

You want a lawsuit case so badly?

I want to do something to help people.

There are too many unjust things

in the world.

There's no justice in court.

Go to God if you want justice.

What matters in court is whom the judge believes in.

Then I'll make the judge believe in me.

Attorney Li Zheng-hong...

I have a can opener in my hand.

Please tell the court

which hand it's in

and prove it.

Sir!

It's in...

...your left hand.

I only have keys in my hand.

This is the justice in court.

Excuse me. Are you looking for helpers?

Yeah, the owner's in.

Okay. Thank you.

You're welcome.

Investigate the case!

Make a claim for us!

Protect the victims!

Do us justice!

Investigate the case!

Make a claim for us!

Protect the victims!

Do us justice!

If the self-help groups did this to you,

what would you do?

Well, we have two options.

Wait for them to get bored,

or just...

cut them down.

The self-help group of U.S. Photonics ex-employees

made a petition yesterday morning,

accusing them of discharging chemical wastewater

illegally years ago to cause cancer.

The self-help group has asked their lawyer,

Li Zheng-hong, to help make a claim.

The legal adviser Zhao Ding-bang of U.S. Photonics

is making a comment in the press conference.

I want them to be taken good care of medically

and recover soon.

U.S. Photonics is a well-known corporation.

We cherish each one of our employees.

We're trying to find out

what our ex-employees want and need.

Thank you.

What are you planning to do

and when will you make another comment?

What's with Zhao Ding-bang?

Isn't your law firm helping us?

I didn't know he's their legal adviser.

So?

I quit the job for you.

What about the subsidy?

I am the subsidy.

What are we going to do?

I've managed

to convince the masses

to support you.

Do you think you can beat your boss?

Ding-bang Law Firm.

It's the largest in Taiwan.

He was my college teacher.

And?

Green comes from blue, but excels it.

You're just showing off your eloquence.

Eloquence is what a lawyer needs to win a case.

But Attorney Li...

it's a matter of life and death for hundreds of people.

Don't crack a joke about it.

I've sacrificed everything for you.

Do you think I'm cracking a joke?

Do you have the ability to help them?

A lawyer with good eyes won't necessarily win.

Maybe...

you'll just say sorry to Mr. Zhao.

Then go back to be a word processor again?

Maybe you'll work for Dao-ze?

Don't try to intervene with my life.

I just want you to have more options.

You don't know a thing.

Attorney Li?

Miss Yeh.

Let's go.

Attorney Li, we're still discussing the petition

from your self-help group.

Can you do us a favor

and hurry up?

Judging from my experience,

you want us to make a claim for you,

but it's against the law

and unprecedented.

I don't think it's possible.

I suggest you

to file a lawsuit.

Damn bureaucracy!

How many people are suing U.S. Photonics?

531 people.

But it's not enough.

We're suffering from cancer.

They're a big corporation.

We want at least five million NTDs.

Yeah...

Calm down!

The judge won't necessarily give us what we want.

Maybe...

we'll raise the number to

three million NTDs for each individual.

There are 531 of you.

How much is it totally?

NTD1,593,000,000.

So we'll apply for

provisional attachment of the assets of U.S. Photonics

to seize the money

and avoid them from shedding their assets.

But...

I have to tell you something.

We need to pay the court.

First,

if we're claiming for three million,

the court fee will be

about NTD30,000.

But it's expensive!

Second,

you need guaranty money to apply for provisional attachment,

which is one third of what you claim.

NTD531,000,000.

500 million!

But it makes no sense.

We don't stand a chance at all.

Come on!

Wait a minute!

Don't go!

We'll figure out a way!

Wait! -Attorney Li...

we don't have that kind of money.

Every cent is precious

for treating our cancer.

Please help us.

You're smart.

You'll have to help us.

Please...

Petition for not paying guaranty money...

A sheet of paper can change the lives of 531 people.

Please do us the favor

and file an official document

to the court to help these victims.

You're a lawyer and you know the law.

Don't make us difficult.

We have to go by the book.

Dao-ze..

But it's 500 million of guaranty money!

Can you ask your friends in the U.S.?

I have no friends.

I'm a loner.

I've got to go.

I've got the applicable laws and regulations

of lawsuit guaranties for the labor

provided by the U.S. Government.

The Government can provide the underprivileged labor

with guaranties to substitute

for guaranty money.

It's the U.S.,

but we're in Taiwan.

We're doing everything

strictly by the book.

Yeah,

by the book.

You should go by the book.

But...

do you make the regulations

of subsidies for the labor lawsuits?

Yes.

I don't want to trouble you,

so I've drafted some amendments

for your reference.

Please amend the regulations

to exempt the labor

from paying the guaranty money.

Hello

Mom?

Where are you?

I'm jogging.

Since when have you been jogging?

It's been a while.

No wonder I haven't seen you lately.

Your steamed buns are in the cooker.

Okay.

Don't forget the time.

Or you'll be late for work.

Yeah, I know.

Hello

Mr. Zhao?

Yes.

I've got the news that

the Committee is helping the labor

with the guaranty money.

I see.

You don't have to ask for leave

to come with me, Mom.

But it's your big day.

I'll have to be there.

Dress yourself up then

to pose for the media.

But I'm not the one

in the limelight.

Don't be ridiculous.

They said your son is good-looking.

You need to dress yourself up.

People are going to

say something buttery to you.

Why?

They want me to be their son-in-law.

What are you talking about?

You won't know if I'm dressed up.

Mom?

I think we'll be on TV.

Don't wear your pink dress for wedding receptions.

We want...

...compensation no!

We want...

...compensation no!

How did you convince the Committee to help you?

It's unprecedented that

the Committee helps the self-help group

of U.S. Photonics ex-employees and exempts them

from paying the guaranty money.

They're led by their lawyer Li Zheng-hong

to apply for provisional attachment

and bring in a civil lawsuit against U.S. Photonics

"for an occupational injury claim."

You've hit the jackpot, Fang Jian-xiong.

Registered mail for the self-help group!

What's wrong, Shu-ting?

Nothing. I'll tell you when you're home.

Hi, Attorney Li.

It has been granted.

They've granted the application.

Congratulations.

Bye.

Hello.

It's the court order for provisional attachment.

We need the documents on the assets of U.S. Photonics.

Okay.

It's ready.

Excuse me.

Is it NTD or USD?

It's NTD.

What's wrong?

Are you missing anything here?

I'll check.

They're a multinational corporation

with a turnover of hundreds of billion USDs.

But it shows they only have ten million NTDs.

Nothing's wrong.

I'm sure of it.

What's registered here

is indeed ten million NTDs.

Oh no!

Excuse me.

Can I check their fund flow here?

I'm sorry, but we don't have it here.

Where should I go?

I'm sorry.

It's a classified project.

I can't provide you with anything related to it.

Listen...

many of us have got cancer because of U.S. Photonics.

If they shed their assets,

we won't get the money.

Please!

Do us the favor!

I'm sorry, but I have to abide by the law.

Yeah!

You're all law-abiding civil servants!

But you have no conscience!

Damn you!

Please calm down!

Get out of here! -Don't touch me!

I'm not going!

Please calm down!

Get off me! -Calm down!

Don't move!

Last year alone,

we had 43 unreasonable verdicts.

Groping for ten seconds...

Not guilty.

Harassing a retarded girl...

Not guilty.

Tainted food...

Not guilty.

Serial killer...

Death sentence repealed.

That's enough.

You can fight for justice,

but can you avoid a dinosaur judge?

I've done everything for nothing.

It's me

who has done everything for nothing.

We've been neighbors since we were little.

So I haven't charged you any consulting fees.

I know that

you've helped me a lot.

But...

I'm really expensive.

Why?

I can't see.

I've checked it for you.

Although they've shed their assets,

their holding company UTG still exists.

Dao-ze...

thank you so much.

You know what to do now?

The “Piercing the Corporate Veil” principle.

If the Corporate refuses to pay...

we'll hold the shareholders responsible.

Yeah.

The plaintiff may make a statement now.

Your Honor...

the defendant, U.S. Photonics Co. Ltd.,

discharged chemical wastewater illegally.

Consequently the members of the self-help group

are suffering from or died of cancer.

According to our Civil Code,

the plaintiff is making a claim

of NTD1,593,000,000.

The indictment is not legal

and should be overruled, Your Honor.

What are you talking about?

Please remain silent in court!

We need the defendant to state the reason.

The plaintiff has no capacity to sue.

The case should be overruled, Your Honor.

What do you mean?

Are you blind or what?

We're all plaintiffs.

Yeah!

We all have the capacity to sue U.S. Photonics.

Silence!

Be quiet!

Sit down!

You don't even know the qualifications of a plaintiff.

I know them very well.

But you didn't tell us

about the qualifications.

You didn't tell me that your group isn't registered.

How would we know that we need to be registered?

Get the members' profiles ready.

And get registered soon.

But we're only given ten days to do it.

Our members are scattering everywhere in Taiwan.

Some of them are too sick to move.

I don't have enough time to get the profiles ready.

How could I get registered?

We're getting ready for an appeal.

Thank you.

Mom?

Are you playing hide-and-seek with me?

No.

I'm not.

Your knees are aching again?

Yeah. A little.

Come on. I'll rub them for you.

Ouch!

Be gentle!

Didn't you say that DMT helped?

I think it's useless.

No, it's not.

Mr. Jiang did it to me once,

and the pain has been gone for months.

Ouch...

Be gentle!

The self-help group of U.S. Photonics ex-employees

hasn't been registered

and didn't manage to make corrections in ten days.

The judgment of the first instance

to overrule their indictment

is not inappropriate.

Thus, we've reached the verdict

to overrule the plaintiff's indictment.

The plaintiff should pay the court fees.

How is that possible?

Your Honor!

We're the victims here!

We're the victims!

We've got cancer because of them!

Attorney Li...

I tried to give the money back to your mom,

but she didn't want the refund.

I suggest...

that you learn from me,

or...

take the money back to her now.

Zheng-hong...

guest what I've bought you?

A suit.

It's a bargain.

Come on.

Get up.

Let me see.

It fits.

Mom?

Come and have a seat.

I don't need a massage.

I'm preparing lunch.

You've been to the course?

How's that?

Your knees are better?

But they're not aching.

Then how do I practice?

Focus on learning.

Maybe we'll travel around the world someday.

You've given up?

Don't you see I'm blind?

You're right.

I don't see you're blind.

To my eyes,

you're a lawyer.

Hi.

The U.S. Photonics case. Appeal for the first instance.

To sum up,

the self-help group didn't accept

the judgment of the second instance.

Do you think

according to the law,

they can still make corrections?

Yes.

It's complicate for a legal entity to get registered,

but after the first instance,

the plaintiff was only given ten days.

You all think it's inappropriate.

Is it correct?

Yes.

If you agree to abandon

the original judgment of the third instance,

please raise your hands.

Thank you.

The original judgment is to

be abandoned and remanded.

Hi.

I'm a TV documentary director.

My name is Lucy Lu.

You can call me Lucy.

Hi.

What can I do for you?

Although it's difficult for you

and the self-help group to go

against U.S. Photonics,

I know you've tried hard

and it moves me.

Thank you.

We're fighting for

our own rights after all.

Yeah.

So I want to make it a documentary.

Do you think it's possible?

The defendant has shed their assets.

With only ten million NTDs left.

So according to the principle

of “Piercing the Corporate Veil”,

we'll indict their holding company UTG.

It's not a legal indictment

and should be overruled.

Please state your reason.

U.S. Photonics is based in the U.S.

We don't have an international jurisdiction

over a U.S. corporation.

U.S. Photonics is based in the U.S,

but their infringement of the self-help group's rights

happened in Taiwan.

The results are in Taiwan too.

These employees were hired by

and used to work

in their subsidiary in Taiwan

So our court has the jurisdiction

over U.S. Photonics.

We don't have the jurisdiction

because of

“Doctrine of Forum Non Conveniences”.

“Doctrine of Forum Non Conveniences”

isn't applicable to the case

because the place of act and the place of harm

are both in Taiwan.

U.S. Photonics was acquired by UTG eight years ago.

And the acquisition happened in the U.S.

So in terms of fair trial and efficiency,

as well as the conveniences

of collecting evidence and questioning witnesses,

the case should be tried by the U.S. court.

It's about the harm the defendant's done to the plaintiff,

not about who acquired U.S. Photonics.

Silence!

Your Honor,

the plaintiff has presented lots of information,

which has to be translated into English

for our U.S. headquarters to read

so as to know my client's opinions

on our further defenses in court.

Your Honor, what the defendant asks is unreasonable.

They're just trying to buy time.

How long do you need, Counselor Zhao?

At least three months.

Fair enough.

The court will be adjourned for three months.

Yes.

Is it okay for you, Counselor Li?

Yes.

Court dismissed.

All rise!

What the hell?

Zheng-hong...

it's all right to have some setbacks.

He has been playing dirty tricks.

Can't the judge see it?

Of course he can.

But the judge can't stop him?

No,

because what he has done is legal.

Miss Yeh?

Look at this.

What do you think?

You've done a great job.

Then I'll keep doing it.

I've made a list of scholars

of all the medical colleges in Taiwan.

Thank you.

I hope they're willing to help.

I've got an expert on toxicology,

Professor Wang Yu-cheng.

He specializes in the study of environmental hazards.

Great.

I'll try to contact him.

Okay. I'll email you his phone number.

UTG has no capacity to be a party

and can't be the defendant here,

so...

they don't have to pay.

UTG, the holding company of U.S Photonics,

is based in the U.S.,

but it is a corporation

and an existing corporate body.

So...

according to the 3rd item of the 40th particle

of Code of Civil Procedure,

UTG has the capacity to be a party

and can be the defendant here.

U.S. Photonics is swearing black to be white.

They're going too far.

Attorney Li...

let's take a break.

If we don't stop now,

I think you're going mad.

I'm sorry.

It's all right.

I know it's hard on you.

Lucy?

What?

You remind me of a college friend of mine.

Really?

How?

Hi, everyone.

We're grateful to these four lawyers

who are willing to help us for free

in their spare time.

Let's clap for our first lawyer,

Mr. Yang Dao-ze.

Thank you, Miss Yeh.

Hi, everyone.

I'm the lawyer, Yang Dao-ze.

Thank you, Attorney Li Zheng-hong,

for leading us to fight the war

and laying a solid foundation.

There will be more lawyers joining us

to make us bigger and stronger.

Let me introduce you.

Mr. Chen Zhao-jie.

Mr. Huang Han-yeh...

I don't need your help.

Without our help,

you'll never win. You silly!

How confident are you?

I'm not confident,

but I'll try my best.

Didn't you tell me that

a lawsuit case is like a business deal

and you need a good deal.

So the case is a good deal now?

Listen...

if it isn't for your mom,

I'll never give a damn.

You have no right

to determine my life!

Mom...

when did you go to Dao-ze?

A couple of weeks ago.

Why did he say yes?

I went begging him for several times.

Why didn't you tell me?

Were you going to say yes?

With him, the group doesn't need me anymore.

But why?

You've been doing a lot for them.

What the hell are you doing?

I'm trying to help you.

And I'm trying to help the group.

With Dao-ze, you're getting us nowhere.

They've got several new lawyers.

What's this?

The profiles of those lawyers.

Please turn to page 15.

Whoever needs to present evidence will lose the case.

How do we prove

that U.S. Photonics caused the cancer?

It's what matters the most.

From the test results of wastewater from U.S. Photonics

done by Environmental Protection Administration,

we know that they discharge seven chemicals

to pollute the groundwater.

Did the seven chemicals in groundwater

cause the cancer of the self-help group members?

The plaintiff will have to present evidence.

What's more difficult is that we have to prove

that the seven chemicals that they were exposed to

are enough to induce cancer.

Furthermore,

we have to press the plaintiff to prove

that their exposure to these chemicals

is the only cause for their cancer.

But we don't have the knowledge to present

the scientific and medical evidence.

Then...

we'll use the “Specific Causation”

to ask the plaintiff to present evidence individually

to make it even more difficult for them.

And U.S. Photonics has all the information

about the running of the plant.

How can we present evidence

if we can't get it?

Then...

we'll ask each of them to fill in a detailed questionnaire

to draw the battle out.

So...

we'll throw the burden of proof

back to U.S. Photonics.

Then...

they'll have no other choice

than throwing the burden of proof back to us.

If the defendant can't prove

that the cancer has nothing to do with them,

they'll have to take the responsibility

because of the cause and effect relationship.

The plaintiff's argument has no reason at all.

We cannot agree with them.

I have two documents here.

One of them is a study by Department of Health

on all the cancer patients in Taiwan

while the other is the employee roster of U.S. Photonics.

According to Department of Health,

the rate of cancer

each year in Taiwan is 23%.

So within a year,

23 out of 100 people suffer from cancer

spontaneously because of various causes.

Spontaneously because of various causes.

U.S. Photonics has

12,528 employees in Taiwan.

The self-help group has 531 members with cancer.

So what is the rate of cancer

of the U.S. Photonics employees in Taiwan?

The answer is...

...4%.

If you compare 23% to 4%,

which is the higher rate?

If U.S. Photonics has a larger plant

to accommodate all the people in Taiwan,

the rate of cancer

will be lower

and...

everyone will have a healthier life.

Is it a case

of the defendant doing harm to the plaintiff,

or is the plaintiff

using cancer as an excuse

for a swindle?

You...

You son of a bitch!

You...

Mom!

Oh my!

I can't believe they're asking the members

to fill in such a thick questionnaire!

There are over 130 pages.

What is the content?

History of work,

life history, medical history,

history of exposure in working places...

The Individual expertise is involved.

They may not understand all questions.

What if they can't answer all of them?

The lawsuit will drag on.

What a dirty trick!

Tell me.

Why do I remind you of your college friend?

Your smell.

My smell?

What smell?

You both smell of Artemisia.

You like her, don't you?

I like her voice.

She used to be my study partner.

She helped me a lot.

What happened then?

She was absent a lot because of menstrual pain.

I asked my mom how I could help her.

What did you do?

I bought Artemisia for her

to make tea or a bath.

How sweet!

Then she told me happily

that her pain was gone

and her skin condition improved.

Did you go on a date with her?

No.

Why?

I...

I didn't have the courage to confess my love.

Great.

You've done a great job.

I've collected them all.

Good.

I'm sorry, Attorney Li,

but you're sitting on my questionnaires.

I'm sorry.

I'm two questionnaires short.

I'll take them to Kaohsiung Hospital tomorrow.

Okay.

I'm ready too.

Thank you very much.

Move over, Zheng-hong.

Come on.

Good.

Let's talk about the appearance of the witnesses.

Okay.

We've completed all the questionnaires,

but you don't look

very happy.

I'm tired.

I think you're feeling helpless too.

Yeah, maybe.

I know how depressed you are.

Since the other lawyers joined us,

you've been unhappy.

They're helping the group a lot.

But what about you?

I'm fine.

You should've had your achievements.

Tell me the truth.

If you need a lawyer,

would you come to me?

No.

But you're special.

Come on.

I'm special to all those who are not blind.

It's one of your advantages.

The media loves

a special person like you.

You don't have a higher chance

than those who are not blind,

but they're not

necessarily your match.

A blind person who can't see the world,

but he sees justice in the world.

U.S. Photonics...

The witness, Zhang Chun-lian...

What cancer do you have?

Breast cancer

and endometrial cancer.

Tell us about the drinking water in the plant.

I worked in the 1st Plant.

We had two water dispensers.

But the drinking water tasted funny.

Tasted funny?

Please tell us

what the funny taste was like.

It tasted of dirt

and some chemicals.

So we threw in tea leaves

to get rid of the funny taste.

If it tasted funny,

why did you keep drinking it?

It was our only drinking water source.

Your only drinking water source?

And...

it tasted better with tea leaves.

Tell me.

How much did the tea leaves cost you?

Thousands of NTDs per kilo?

No, I couldn't afford it.

NTD150 per kilo for me.

What, so cheap?

Where did you get it?

In the market.

Where were they from?

I don't know.

Did they use excessive pesticide

on those tea leaves?

I have no idea.

The tea leaves in Taiwan

cost you at least NT500 for a kilo.

The ones you bought were far cheaper

than the average market price,

and the origin or the amount

of pesticide used was unknown.

And you drank the tea for years.

So I can tell you with reason that

it was likely that

you've got cancer

because of those tea leaves.

What else made you think that

the water from the dispensers

could be groundwater?

It tasted of dirt.

What else?

I remember that I saw them

replace the filter once.

The filter looked horrifying.

It was yellow and green

with dirt and iron filings.

Do you have the courage

to drink the water?

Do you?

The witness, Chen Guo-qiang...

Tell me. What is the use of a filter?

To filter the water.

So...

a filter keeps everything

dirty or toxic out

and gives us clean water,

Is it correct?

What do you think?

Answer me. Yes or no?

A filter keeps everything

dirty or toxic out

and gives us clean water.

Yes or no?

Yeah.

Did you see

those disgusting or dirty things

being filtered out?

Answer me, Chen Guo-qiang.

Did you see those disgusting

or dirty things being filtered out?

Please make a comment.

Thank you.

If any progress, we'll let you know.

Justice will be done. Thank you.

We want the blind lawyer in the center.

Where is he? Please stand in the center.

Come on. Stand in the center.

Where are the witnesses?

Please come here.

About the biggest claim of occupational injury

by U.S. Photonics in Taiwan...

After two and a half years of debate,

the witnesses appeared in court for the first time.

The blind lawyer, Li Zheng-hong,

has been fighting with these laborers.

It's the first time for the witnesses to appear in court.

It has been two and a half years

since the indictment.

U.S. Photonics keeps dragging the case on.

They haven't agreed

to make an apology.

They'd rather spend money in hiring lawyers

than making compensation.

It's an unscrupulous corporation.

We know that there's a long way ahead of us,

and that they have more dirty tricks

to stop us from making a claim,

but...

we'll never give up.

Our efforts

won't be in vain.

I'll do them justice.

Here you are.

“Our efforts won't be in vain.”

“I'll do them justice.”

You impressed us a lot.

Thank you.

I just said what I felt.

You really attract the media a lot.

It's nothing but a flash in the pan.

No.

As long as you catch their eyes,

the media will pay attention to you.

Really?

But I'm not a celebrity.

Although you're not a celebrity,

you're someone with a story.

Whether

you win

or lose the case,

you'll be the winner after all.

Go for it.

Attorney Li...

what you ask for

is not easy for us practically,

but...

we'll discuss it internally.

Tell me. When are you going to

discuss it and how?

Don't give us bureaucratic responses every time.

Attorney Li,

As a lawyer,

you need to have a legal sense.

I'm not a lawyer if I don't have a legal sense.

What about a woman without breasts?

They've lost not only their breasts,

but also their whole lives.

I see.

Get dressed.

They're racing with time every day.

None of them knows who'll live to see tomorrow.

Chief Secretary.

The disability benefits of the labor insurance

will include mastectomy.

We'll discuss it as soon as possible.

Also, try to figure out a way

to prove the cause of cancer

for the ex-employees of U.S. Photonics.

Please get dressed.

The rights of our female laborers have been defended.

Today, the only blind lawyer in Taiwan, Li Zheng-hong,

led several female ex-employees

of U.S. Photonics to make a petition in the Committee.

In the face of the Committee officials

and reporters,

these women exposed their breastless chests.

Their sufferings have shocked us

and drawn the society's attention.

I'm busy, Professor Wang.

I'll call you back,

okay?

Yeah, talk to you later.

Thank you. Bye.

There you go.

Thank you.

A blind person who can't see the world,

but he sees justice in the world.

Hi, everyone.

Today we're honored to have with us

the only blind lawyer in Taiwan,

Li Zheng-hong.

Hi, Attorney Li.

Hi.

Hi, everyone.

It's not easy for you, Attorney Li.

You're blind,

and it's very inspiring

that you've become a lawyer.

And now you're speaking

for the underprivileged labor.

Despite the fact that you can't see,

you're leading the ex-employees of U.S. Photonics

and the other lawyers to

fight against the multinational corporation.

We admire you for your courage.

You're the war god of the labor in Taiwan.

Thank you. Thanks for your compliment.

We've got another god.

This case...

Just leave it to him.

Your Honor...

It's a study by Committee of Labor Rights

on what induced the cancer

of the ex-employees of U.S. Photonics.

According to the study,

we've found that

there's no direct cause and effect relationship

between the plaintiff's cancer and the defendant.

So we're applying

for default judgment

according to the defendant's argument.

The case should be overruled.

And the plaintiff will pay the court fees.

U.S. Photonics hurt the labor in Taiwan.

And they have the worst image.

Why do you keep helping them in court?

To defend a so-called good guy,

it's easy.

But to defend a so-called bad guy,

it's difficult.

As a lawyer,

if I give up a case

because the client

is unpopular or hated by others,

our judicial system

will collapse completely.

I'm not scared of any hatred.

In order to uphold the ultimate legal values,

I'll never give up.

Attorney Li?

Why didn't you answer my calls?

What can I say to you?

What about the study?

If a normal lawyer can do nothing,

what can a blind one like me do?

What can a blind one like me do?

You're so selfish.

You've never really cared about us.

You don't deserve to be a lawyer.

Miss Yeh...

do you really care about your husband or daughter?

What you want is win the case, right?

You want your revenge.

Do you deserve to be a wife or a mother?

“From darkness to light”...

You're the light, aren't you?

Miss Yeh!

What's this?

One million NT dollars.

It's a check from the TV station.

Give them back the money.

I've earned lots of money.

Isn't it what you want?

I don't want you to be such a lawyer.

But you've never supported me.

Haven't I supported you?

Hi, my dear brothers and sisters.

Hi.

We're really sad

when someone passes away.

But...

there's an eternal home in Heaven.

Zheng Xiu-ying

is now in Heaven

with God.

It's incredibly wonderful.

Now...

let us watch an interview

of Zheng Xiu-ying

before she left us.

Do you think Li Zheng-hong can beat

U.S. Photonics?

Do you want the truth?

No.

No?

No... I mean, yes.

I want him to try his best.

What do you expect him to achieve as a lawyer?

To sustain himself.

What do you want to say to him?

What?

What you want to tell him,

just say it.

Well...

What should I say?

Take your time.

Look at the camera and tell him.

I'll always support you.

Anything else?

Well...

I don't want him to worry about money.

I have a part-time job.

What job?

It's a secret.

Cut off this part!

What are you doing here?

I'm sorry.

Please forgive me.

Come on in.

The air-conditioner is on.

The biggest problem now is that

the Committee's report is bad for us.

So we need to find some slips in it.

Is this Attorney Li Zheng-hong?

Yes, speaking. And you're...?

I'm Professor Wang Yu-cheng.

Hi, Professor Wang.

My colleague told me about the study

on what has induced the cancer

of the ex-employees of U.S. Photonics.

I'm sorry, but I was in the U.S.

I couldn't call you back until now.

I'm sorry.

So the Committee's report

told us that the cancer rate

of the self-help group is far lower than others

because of such a sampling bias?

Yes.

According to my study,

the report has underestimate the cancer rate

and death rate of the self-group

by 20%.

Thank you, Professor Wang.

So...

even the Committee's report

that has been done by nine experts

can't be 100% correct. Is it correct?

Yes.

Are you sure that there's not a study

which is 100% correct?

There is absolutely nothing that's 100% correct.

But you've said that the report

has underestimate the rate by 20%.

Is it 100% correct?

Maybe...

we'll try something else.

Lucy?

What?

Can you do me a favor?

What favor?

You can't make them the short film, Lucy.

But I can't let them down.

Maybe...

I'll make it less than perfect.

No.

There will be risks anyway.

It'll affect the judge's

evaluation and emotions.

On Professor Wang's experiment,

give us a report as soon as possible.

We're doing an experiment on mice of the pollutants

in the groundwater of U.S. Photonics.

Thank you, Professor Wang.

It's the second month now.

Are these mice all for the case?

Yeah.

Does your production line use tap water

or ground water?

Tap water.

How can such a big corporation

use less tap water than a small plant?

We're a multinational corporation.

Energy saving is our responsibility.

But why do you have pipelines for groundwater?

Sometimes when tap water supply isn't stable,

or during water outage, we need groundwater

to keep the production line going.

There was water outage

in these few months.

So these plants had much less water consumption.

But why was your water consumption

more or less as usual,

only slightly less?

Water outage is regional.

They had water outage, but not us.

Even if the plaintiff drank groundwater,

according to my study,

these chemical solvents only

sink into the surface aquifer

while the groundwater U.S. Photonics uses

is from the third aquifer,

which hasn't been affected much.

What if the surface chemical solvents

sink into the third aquifer?

The filter in a water dispenser

can filter them out, can't it?

Can the activated carbon filter

filter out the pollutants in groundwater?

No.

Why not?

Being exposed to over one solvent

helps restrain other solvents

and helps with the process of degradation

to lower the possibility that one certain solvent

induces some diseases.

But these...

are words taken out of context.

In fact,

it doubles the effects.

So we need a further study,

including the medical history,

family history,

history of work

and lifestyle of the plaintiff's family

to see if the various causes of cancer

can be excluded or not.

To define an occupational disease,

we don't need to exclude all causes.

Why's that?

Tell me, Professor Liu.

Are these seven chemicals carcinogens?

So you chose to quote or conceal

data of international index

for the defendant's favor.

Is it correct?

Objection!

The counselor has wrongly accused the witness.

Watch your language, Counselor Li.

To prove that the plaintiff's cancer was caused

by being exposed to these seven chemicals,

Professor Wang Yu-cheng of toxicology

has done an experiment for us.

He is going to explain to you now.

U.S. Photonics uses groundwater from the third aquifer,

so we've made the drinking water of the mice

in accordance with it

and recorded their physiological changes.

We've observed and recorded for 180 days.

It's Day 1.

The mouse is normal.

It's Day 30.

The mouse has small tumors on it.

It's Day 60.

The mouse has middle-sized tumors on it.

It's Day 120.

The mouse has a severely deformed body.

It's Day 150.

Many of the mice couldn't hold it anymore

and began to die.

The conclusion of our experiment is that

each of these mice has more

than two different types of cancer.

The females...

60% has breast cancer

while 70% has cancer in the reproductive system.

So we've proved that the plaintiff's cancer

was caused by the seven chemicals

that they have been exposed to.

Your Honor...

Wang Yu-cheng is suspected of perjury.

His testimony isn't believable at all.

The plaintiff's witness, Wang Yu Cheng,

hasn't completed his experiment

because the mice used in it

have been stolen

and he didn't have enough time

to do it again before this trial.

We're presenting now the proof

that Professor Wang has reported a theft to the police.

Your Honor...

Professor Wang's experiment is 100% credible.

The mice were stolen.

You've presented a fake report.

Your Honor...

Professor Wang is doing his experiment in Room A021

while the theft happened in Room B003.

The mice haven't been stolen.

Professor Wang has completed the experiment.

So it's a credential report.

We want evidence.

Don't just talk the talk.

It's the recordings of the experiment

in Room A021 from Day 1 to Day 180

to prove that the experiment has been completed.

The plaintiff hasn't had any proofs of “Special Causation”.

They can't prove that

the plaintiff's cancer was caused

directly by U.S. Photonics.

According to the precedent by High Court

with causation in epidemiology

of Min-sheng Mansion with contaminated steel,

the victims of environmental hazards don't have to

prove all the cause and effect relationships

or rigorous scientific evidence.

All they have to do is prove

in all probability that they're indeed injured

as far as medical science is concerned.

An experiment with a few mice

can prove that medically?

Sir...

do you really believe in what you're defending?

We've made the water in accordance

with that from the dispensers

and filtered it with activated carbon.

Just like the plaintiff said,

the water tastes funny.

I have here your favorite tea leaves

to get rid of the funny taste.

You've worked hard.

Why don't you take a break

and have some tea?

Sir...

you've known the truth all along.

As a lawyer,

I don't need to know the truth.

Unless...

the truth is in my client's favor.

The truth is in my client's favor.

How did you find out?

Why did Irene come to your workshop?

What the hell?!

I'm sorry.

I'm Irene.

Regional Vice Manager of U.S. Photonics.

For an interview.

I need the opinions from both sides for the documentary.

You've filmed us for over three years

but never showed us anything.

We wanted a short film to be evidence,

but you failed to give us.

I've been busy at the TV station.

I asked the TV station.

They told me that you quit over three years ago.

I can't believe they're the wrong mice.

I asked Professor Wang to work with me

to stage a play for you.

You're holding a candle to the sun.

I'm trying to win the case.

Even if you expose me,

you won't win the case.

According to 282-1 of Code of Civil Procedure,

If someone deliberately tries to destroy,

conceal or stop the opposite party

from using the evidence,

the court will see the argument

supported by the evidence

as the truth,

depending on the circumstances.

What does it mean?

Even if our experiment can't prove

that U.S. Photonics directly caused the cancer

of the self-help group members,

as long as we can prove

that U.S. Photonics stole the mice,

the court will see our argument

supported by the experiment

as the truth.

Why did you do that?

But Auntie...

I can't be your undercover anymore.

Hello, Mark.

Hello, David.

What's going on with Lucy's movie plans?

We have proposed to the film company

and they love the idea.

The investment is probably reaching one Million US.

They showed the interest of meeting Lucy.

When will she come to the United States?

OK. I'll book her a ticket.

Thanks a lot.

Alright. See you.

You need this opportunity,

You got to keep doing this.

You're selfish.

I'm sorry.