KAGERA: BUKOBA High Court Judge in-Charge Immaculata Banzi has said the ongoing judicial digital reforms are crucial in ensuring legal proceedings are operated efficiently and on time.
“Switching from a paper-based filing system to a digital format has greatly helped to clear a large backlog of cases and ease the burden of time-consuming legal processes and procedures,” she said.
Judge Banzi made the remarks recently during a face-to-face meeting which was attended by members comprising District Judicial Officers Ethics Committees from the eight Councils- Muleba, Bukoba DC, Biharamulo, Ngara, Karagwe, Kyerwa, Missenyi and Bukoba MC.
“With the help of modern technology, Tanzania is using digital tools such as virtual court sessions and e-filing system to enhance transparency and improve citizens’ access to justice,” she said.
Chief Justice (CJ) Ibrahim Juma, on the other hand, said the judiciary is using cutting-edge digital technologies to save time and money as well as speed up the delivery of justice as part of the initiative, which includes training court officers, building new court facilities and introducing mobile courts to bring services closer to people who were excluded in the past.
“We have installed computers and e-filing systems to different levels to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the courts. The e-filing system that is being introduced in courts at different levels will enable litigants to file and track their cases easily,” he said.
Prof Juma said ethics was a core pillar in the provision of justice without which the fairness dispensed would be uncompleted. Equally, he appealed to members who form district and regional Judicial Ethics Committees to educate the citizens on the functions of the committees and how to fully utilise their services.
However, he said access to justice and fighting corruption are critical institutional reforms.
