Rwanda’s Judiciary Launches Electronic filing System

Rwanda’s Judiciary has launched new electronic system called Electronic Filing System that will be used to file all cases and submitted online to the Courts of Laws.

The new eletronic system enables more efficiency in Information Technology projects currently being implemented in a number of pilot sites.

Electronic Records Management System Includes a Case Management Module, Digital Court Recording System, Electronic Filing System which will include other subcomponents such as electronic payment of court fees, toll free lines, Electronic Alert System using SMS and Email, Video Conferencing System and Legal Information Portal.

Charles Kariwabo the Judicial Spokesperson noted, “the new system will help citizens in submiting their cases electronically without wasting time and money coming here.

Citizens will just scan and email detailed documents of their cases to the courts and people in charge will be working immediately notifying back that person telling him that his documents have been delivered to the court.”

A Judicial IT Committee has been created to ensure that information management initiatives are fully aligned to the Judiciary’s Strategic plan.

The major task of the Committee will be to devise a holistic approach to integrate the use of technology in litigation process and harnessing the benefit of experience.

The judiciary also intends to make the courts operational all the time, reducing long process delays, making best use of time and resources, reducing long queues when filing documents and also to avoid high costs of operating due to moving long distances.

Johnson Busingye the President of the Supreme Court, remarks, “This is to enable us identify and address problems before they surface when the use of EFS is made compulsory.”

Payment can also be done online and the system will support electronic servicing of court documents, subject to what the domestic legal acts allow.

A Pilot phase has already started with; Supreme Court, Commercial Court, Gasabo High Court, and also Nyarugenge High Court.