ARUSHA: CHIEF Justice, Professor Ibrahim Juma, has urged Judges of the Court of Appeal to embrace modern technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in handling court proceedings and delivering judgments.
He highlighted the success of the Geita High Court and its lower courts in utilising information technology as an example to follow.
Speaking at the mid-annual meeting of the Court of Appeal in Arusha yesterday, Professor Juma emphasised that AI is transforming institutions globally, including the judiciary by helping reduce or eliminate case backlogs.
“Our lives are now intertwined with artificial intelligence. We must adapt to these technological changes. The Geita High Court, for instance, has completely transitioned from paper to digital processes, while the Court of Appeal is still using paper. We are lagging behind—let’s take the lead in using IT,” he remarked.
The Chief Justice pointed out that Tanzania’s judiciary is making significant strides in adopting technology, particularly through the use of the electronic case management system (e-CMS).
He announced that moving forward, the Court of Appeal will begin receiving appeals via the e-CMS from lower courts, urging judges and staff of the Appeal Court to embrace the new technology and other digital tools to enhance justice delivery.
He cited India as a success story in incorporating AI into court processes, which has significantly reduced case backlogs. Professor Juma also acknowledged the backlog challenge in Tanzania, noting that as of June 2023, the Court of Appeal had 1,248 pending proceedings, some older than 24 months. Each of the 11 panels, consisting of three judges, currently handles an average of 113 hearings.
ALSO READ: Use of ICT reduces case backlogs in judiciary
In his address, Professor Juma encouraged Judges to pursue continuous learning, conduct research and expand their knowledge to improve their decision-making processes.
“Judges of the Court of Appeal must think carefully because their interpretations of the Constitution, laws and regulations are final. Any mistakes will last a long time,” he warned.
He emphasised that the Court of Appeal deals with high-stakes cases involving economic, political and social interests and Judges must ensure their rulings resolve conflicts without causing further disputes over the interpretation of their decisions.
Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Mr. George Herbert, revealed that by June this year, there were 5,900 pending proceedings, with 941 cases.