You can now file court cases from the comfort of your home

Organisations worldwide are embracing information communication-related technology to change the way they carry out their businesses.

This has fundamentally changed the points of contact between organisations and their clients and in turn, the way clients access services.

For instance, implementation of digital technology alone has tremendously improved service delivery and transformed the way of life the world over.

Digital technology has enabled access to information and services in real time. It has transformed how people communicate, learn, and work.

When properly applied, Information Communication Technology (ICT) interconnects the world making it possible to expand our knowledge and innovation, resulting in better life. It increases transparency, reduces operational costs and improves delivery of services to customers.

It is encouraging to note that the Judiciary identified ICT as a strategic priority that is to play the critical role of enabling the administration of justice.

The institution is embracing ICT as an enabler to change the way it conducts its operations. This is aimed at improving the speed at which it delivers its services.

Besides achieving timeliness, the Judiciary has made deliberate efforts to entrench accountability and transparency in its processes. The use of information technology is a sure way to achieve these important values and principles of governance.

Therefore, as a measure to improve service delivery, the Judiciary sought to fully embrace digital technology.

Thus, it acquired over 1,300 computers and printers and distributed them to 137 courts across the country, to enhance its existing capacity. The computers shall enable the courts to process, store and retrieve information more efficiently and in the shortest possible time.

Further, a number of automation activities have been initiated aimed at making the institution more efficient in service delivery and administration of justice.

One such is the case tracking system (CTS) being implemented in 49 courts with over 400,000 ongoing cases being tracked.

CTS is a management information system that maintains and manages all details of a case. It tracks and manages case activities from case initiation to case disposition and all the associated activities. CTS produces all the operational reports that may be required.

The Automated Case Search facilitates quick responses to clients for over the counter queries and reduces turnaround time in serving clients. The case file tracking also assists in minimising incidences of missing files or files being misplaced or misfiled.

Another initiative is the E-filing System. This system provides a platform for law firms, lawyers and non-lawyers to initiate and complete the process of filing cases online from the comfort of their offices or homes.

Thus, they do not need to visit the court premises to file cases, or banking halls to pay court fees. This digital platform will substantially reduce the period one takes to file a case.

It shall save time and cost for litigants who currently have to physically receive these services from within the court premises.

E-payment and Automated Fee Assessment is another system that is being initiated. This system provides a platform to pay court fees online.

Fee assessment and invoice on amount to be paid will be automatically generated by the system. This system will eliminate issues of over-assessment, under assessment as well as corruption, saving time and making payments more efficient and prompt.

In every courtroom, the current practice is for the judicial officer to handwrite their notes and proceedings. 

This forms the record of the court. The Judiciary will be rolling out audio and visual recording in 32 Courts, via a Judiciary Audio Visual and Transcription (JAVIT) system.

Audio visual recording coupled with transcription will ease the production of proceedings. 

JAVIT will increase the efficiency of court processes in the court allowing judicial officers, prosecution counsel, advocates and parties to focus on the proceedings rather than taking notes.

This will enhance transparency through prevention of omissions, alterations and manipulation of the court record. All justice sector actors and members of the public need to support the various initiatives by the Judiciary aimed at automating the institution.

By embracing digital technology, it is envisaged there will be better delivery of services and administration of justice in a more efficient, transparent and professional manner.

Mr Simani is communication consultant for Judicial Performance Improvement Project