Rutendo Chirume
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is set to adopt the use of technology in 2022 as a way of delivering world class justice services that builds on the work undertaken in previous legal years in an effort to develop and enhance an efficient justice system.
Justice Paddington Garwe unveiled the theme of 2022 legal year on January 10 whilst officiating at the opening of 2022 legal year at the High Court of Zimbabwe in Masvingo.
The theme of 2022 legal year will be “use of technology to enhance efficiency and the rule of law in the judiciary”.
During his address Justice Garwe talked about how the use of new technology is intended to enhance access to justice and productivity in the justice system and make tasks easier.
“The use of technology is intended to enhance access to justice and productivity in the justice system. This year will therefore see a paradigm shift from traditional processes and modes of operation of the courts towards a more digitalized system. In addition to this, technology will make tasks easier to complete and more importantly reduce time taken to file processes with court registries and expedite the operations of court registries. Thus technology will significantly shorten time taken to file processes,” said Justice Garwe.
He also added that use of technology will enhance efficiency which is the main goal in the legal framework because inefficiency has disastrous effects on the administration of justice.
“Efficiency as a goal is anchored in the legal framework to which reference has just been made and the strategic plans of Judicial Service Commission. This is a collective goal of all members of the judiciary, member box staff and other stakeholders in the justice delivery system. We must approach 2022 with collective goal of efficiency in mind. A judicial system that is characterized by inefficiency is anathema to good governance and has deleterious effects on the administration of justice. It subverts the rule of law,” said Justice Garwe.
He also added on how technology will enhance efficiency during this era of corona virus pandemic and mentioned latest development in the judiciary like the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (I.E.C.M.S) which is a web- based electronic tool that will rely on the management of a case filed in a court and can also be known as e-filing.
“Technology can make legal services accessible to all. In this era of Covid-19 this development will surely enhance efficiency. It is convenient, with regards to all the restrictions that nation has experienced which include limitations on travel and prohibition of gatherings,” said Justice Garwe.
