As the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) progresses into the realm of digitalization with the third and final module of the E-litigation portal officially launched in Dominica, even further advancement appears to be underway.
According to the ECSC, the E-litigation portal is designed to provide an efficient, cost-effective, transparent and reliable platform for submitting and processing court documents electronically.
“Our stakeholders needed a convenient way to interact with the courts without always having to come to the clerk’s counter, and they needed to do so without the time restrictions placed by filing counters. The ECSC needed to improve efficiency and reduce the use of paper and provide citizens with improved access to the court system while reducing costs.”
Members of the Dominica Bar Association, along with judges, attorneys, and other legal professionals, are enthusiastic about continuing the recently initiated journey toward digital transformation.
Dominica is the fifth country to implement the Criminal Module of the portal, and President of its Bar Association Noelize Knight Didier regards this as a transformative achievement given the local court system’s history of being
hindered by the inefficiencies of paper-based systems. Since its launch of the Family and Civil module at the High Court in 2021, Didier attests to the alleviation of challenges often faced in filing court matters:
“I can personally attest to its ease of use, excellent user interface, as well as what I consider its greatest attribute, time saving and tree saving.“
She went on to advise that the portal be viewed as an asset rather than a liability or hindrance, “It should be viewed as an opportunity to improve our practice, serve our clients better, and contribute to the efficiency of our judicial system.” The Civil and Family Module for the Magistrate’s Court was introduced just last year.
Meanwhile, Director of Public Prosecution Sherma Dalrymple concurs on the efficiency of the portal thus far within her department. As compared to the period before the introduction of the portal, she asserted that the department is now able to, “file complaints, indictments, and disclose documents at the tip of a button. This is by simply uploading documents on an electronic platform.”
Dalrymple relayed the importance of maintaining the rights of victims and the expeditious handling of matters.
“We are now able to disclose matters electronically and this means that the human resource of the Police Force can now focus on solving crimes instead of the burdens of filing complaints and disposing null evidence and statements,” she expressed.
The Criminal Module improves the management of all criminal court matters, including arrests, traffic offenses, parking violations, and juvenile cases. It is anticipated that all cases across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) will transition to the digital era of the judicial system. Stressing on the gradual growth and enhancement of the E-litigation Portal, Chief Justice (A.g) of the ECSC His Lordship Hon. Mario Mitchel hinted at the imminent implementation of Artificial Intelligence into the court system of Dominica.
He says:” It will introduce transcription [of] the speech to text system in the civil courtrooms in Dominica.” The Acting Chief Justice conveyed that this new technology assures 95% accuracy in “nearly real time”.
“This introduction of AI technology will both guarantee greater accuracy in the production of these critical court documents and eliminate the very significant, sometimes costly and often embarrassing delays which often hamper the space of hearings and disposition of cases in the court system, particularly appeals for which transcripts are absolutely necessary except in a very small percentage of cases,” he explained.
Justice Mitchel also announced the upcoming launch of an initiative by the Court of Appeal to facilitate the migration of appeal cases not yet in the E-litigation portal. The implementation of this, along with several other technological
advancements, is in progress for the ECSC in the near future.
So now our Supreme Court is advancing into Digital transformation, and our money is advancing into Digital transformation, what do we know about this, which is creeping into every aspect of our lives, is it beneficial to us as we are told, or is there a sinister nefarious agenda planned for us down the road. These so-called Lawyers in the legal fraternity are just as ignorant as the populace. Carl Sagan said it best, “If we can’t think for ourselves if we’re unwilling to question authority, then we’re just putty in the hands of those in power.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-y2B9GPqhs&t=60s&ab_channel=KarenTamrazyan
Folks let us talk about a spiritual Transformation.
The entire judicial system from bottom to top needs to be completely restructured. Digitization to speed up the course of justice is of absolute necessity. Many cases before the court are in a stance almost for an eternity.
I would like to proved that the no sitting head of government should have any involvement in the appointment of a DPP. That is currently a monumental problem. Many of these people acquiesce to the wishes of the incumbent governments.
The judicial system is the fulcrum of our democracy. Therefore, every effort should be made even to avoid the appearance of bias and corruption.
The aim of justice is to give everyone his due.