The introduction of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) has been welcomed by key stakeholders as the Judicial Services Commission puts in final touches ahead of the second phase digitalisation programme launch next month.
IECMS is a web-based system that is developed to make the functional areas of the judicial service more efficient and effective
The digitisation of the country’s courts of law has entered its second phase, as training for lawyers and other stakeholders which include trade unionists in the Labour Court and the Administrative Court continues.
Last year, JSC introduced the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS), which digitised the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court and Commercial Court with the Labour Court and the Administrative Court being expected to paperless this coming month.
The development is part of the digital revolution in the judiciary, police services, prisons and correctional services which will see the required information, documents and dockets moving through the judicial system without delays and other systems to improve law enforcement.
One of the main intentions of this project is to control and allow complete registration of all court cases and tracking of current case status and location to enhance public access on the web, avoiding clients going to court and also the need to follow up days after the filing of the case.
Speaking during a physical training sessions held by the JSC , trade unionists applauded the Government for going paperless.
A representative of Medical Professionals and Allied workers Union(MPAWUZ) Mrs Tecla Barangwe said the new technology would cut transport costs.
“We are happy that the introduction of IECMS is going to bring some changes , you can easily file your application and access your case status from wherever you are.
“It has been a disadvantage to us representatives of workers that we had to travel long distances to file application even a court order but with this new technology it reduces costs,” she said.
Progressive Commercial Trades and Allied workers Union, general secretary, Mr Tawanda Mupeti also commended the digitisation programme saying it will address the corruption within the judicial system.
“We are living in a global world so we should move with technology, this type of judicial system is acceptable worldwide.
“Cases are taking long to be finalised because you go to court today and you would be told that other files are missing.
“This shall be a thing of the past since things are now being done virtually ,” he said. Tendai Makavani National Employment Council Brickmaking Industry General Secretary said the digitalisation programme was long overdue.
“The world is going digital and I think this is going to make our work easier because with just a click of a button you can do everything at the comfort of our home.
“As trainers we want to go and pass the information to our sectors,” she said.
JSC head of corporate services Mr Daniel Nemukuyu said there has been a warm and welcoming response towards the introduction of the ICMS.
“We travelled about five provinces , we were in Mutare, Masvingo, Bulawayo, Gweru and the response was overwhelming. We had physical training sessions with lawyers, trade unionists, labour officers and today the same categories of people are receiving training and most of them are keen to use this new system.”
The entourage which travelled to different provinces included technical persons who assisted in registering stakeholders with the IECMS system.
He also said that thousands had so far registered with the IECMS and they will be able to access the system using their log-in backed by their private passwords.
While in the system, one can check the progress of their case online, file documents electronically, access judgments, do e- payment of fees and it will also see the rolling out of virtual hearings wherein parties to a case, who are registered, receive a link to participate in a virtual trial from their homes or offices.
A desk or laptop computer or a smartphone connected to the internet with a valid email address is needed to allow the user to lodge legal documents. – The Herald
