Kenya’s Chief Justice (CJ) Martha Koome has unveiled a series of groundbreaking technological advancements aimed at revolutionizing the country’s justice system.
In her official X (formerly Twitter) account, Chief Justice Koome announced the launch of e-filing for all courts nationwide, along with a Data Tracking Dashboard and a Causelist Portal.
These initiatives mark a significant stride in the Judiciary’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance access to justice, in alignment with the Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) blueprint.
“The introduction of e-filing enables remote case filing, providing legal practitioners and the public with a user-friendly platform to engage with the justice system online. This move not only enhances accessibility but also streamlines processes, leading to increased efficiency and inclusivity. The expansion of e-filing beyond Nairobi, which began in April 2023, has now reached a national scale, with court stations in all 47 counties being onboarded,” CJ Koome noted.
In a bid to promote environmentally friendly practices, Chief Justice Koome further announced that pleadings and documents will be accessed and processed exclusively online, effectively eliminating the need for printing from July 1, 2024.
She noted that the resources previously allocated for printing paper will now be redirected towards acquiring desktops and laptops, further advancing the Judiciary’s digital transformation agenda.
The CJ emphasized the importance of legal practitioners and litigants familiarizing themselves with the e-filing system to maximize its benefits. She highlighted the integration of the e-filing system with the Uadilifu e-system operated by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) as a testament to the Judiciary’s commitment to interoperability and collaboration across the justice sector.
In addition to e-filing, Chief Justice Koome unveiled the Data Tracking Dashboard, a state-of-the-art tool designed to monitor case processing within courts and tribunals.
This innovative dashboard provides real-time insights into case clearance rates and identifies reasons for case adjournments, empowering Judiciary leadership to address challenges promptly and enhance operational efficiency.
Furthermore, the launch of the Causelist Portal represents a significant step towards enhancing transparency and accessibility within the Kenyan Judiciary.
Integrated with the Case Tracking System (CTS), this platform allows for real-time updates and easy access to court schedules, enabling litigants and advocates to stay informed about upcoming hearings with just a few clicks.
Chief Justice Koome expressed confidence in the Judiciary’s continued collaboration with sister justice sector agencies to ensure the full integration and operationalization of the e-filing system across all institutions.
The sister justice sector agencies includes: Attorney General’s Office Kenya, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Kenya Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, Kenya Probation Service and Directorate of Criminal Investigations Kenya.
By harnessing the power of technology, she affirmed, the justice sector can work together more effectively to deliver justice to the citizens of Kenya.
The unveiling of these transformative technology initiatives underscores the Judiciary’s commitment to modernizing and improving the delivery of justice in Kenya, ushering in a new era of efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for all.