ECOWAS Court launches digital case management system to enhance judicial integration and access to justice
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States has launched its Electronic Case Management System ECMS to strengthen regional judicial integration, improve access to justice, and enhance transparency. Yaouza Ouro-Sama, Chief Registrar of the ECOWAS Court, stated that the digital platform will harmonize judicial processes among member states and make justice more accessible. The ECMS aims to streamline case management by reducing delays, eliminating bottlenecks, and providing real-time access to case information for stakeholders. Justice Ricardo Goncalves, President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, highlighted that the multilingual web-based platform, available in English, French, and Portuguese, will digitalize every stage of judicial proceedings, including electronic filing, case management, notifications, secure communication, and digital archiving, benefiting over 400 million citizens. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for modernization, leading to this development. While technology will not replace judicial decision-making, the Court expects 80 percent of legal professionals to register within six months and aims for a fully digital Court by 2030. Goncalves urged judges, lawyers, member states, litigants, and development partners to embrace the platform to strengthen justice within the ECOWAS Community.
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