Justice Edward Asante, the president of the ECOWAS Court of Justice (CCJ), says the court’s digitalisation scheme, which involves adopting an Electronic Case Management System (ECMS), will facilitate access, efficiency, transparency, and speedy justice delivery.

The court said Mr Asante stated this at a Friday sensitisation and training programme for lawyers on CCJ’s newly introduced ECMS in Accra, Ghana.

He said the adoption of ECMS, which aligned with the 2020 Practice Directions on Electronic Case Management and Virtual Court Sessions, marked a significant shift towards technological solutions.

“These innovations have now become permanent features, including online filing of legal documents, electronic service of documents, and virtual court sessions via platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, the president explained.

“The introduction of the ECMS represents a further commitment to modernising judicial processes, aiming for greater efficiency and accessibility.

“The system supports electronic filing, automatic electronic service, and comprehensive electronic management of cases.

“With 24/7 access through a user-friendly portal available in English, French, and Portuguese, the ECMS facilitates real-time case information, court notifications, and hearing schedules, enhancing transparency and reducing costs,” he said.

The president recalled that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the court’s efforts to enhance access to justice through digitalisation.

He said the week-long programme would enable practitioners to navigate the court’s innovative digital platform and encourage them to fully engage with the training to harness its benefits.

Justice Asante recalled that CCJ was established by the Lagos Treaty of 1975, became operational in 2001, and its jurisdiction was expanded in 2005 to include human rights cases within the community.

He described the inclusion of human rights cases as crucial in upholding fundamental human rights, the rule of law, and good governance in West Africa.

The Accra programme is the second of three planned events, following a similar one in Lomé, Togo, with the final one holding later in Praia, Cape Verde.

The programme, conducted in a hybrid format and in the three official languages of ECOWAS -English, French and Portuguese, draws participating lawyers from across ECOWAS member states, both in person and online.

(NAN)