On Tuesday 9th July 2024, the Deputy Chief Justice, Richard Buteera chaired a meeting to discuss the Judicature (Electronic Filing, Service, and Virtual Proceedings) Rules, 2024, at the Supreme Court Conference Hall.
The meeting was attended by members of the Joint Rules Committee and Judiciary Law Reform Committee, aimed to review, incorporate feedback, and finalize these draft rules for the Courts of Judicature.
In his welcome remarks, DCJ emphasized the crucial role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in developing the Judiciary policy to better serve the people of Uganda, highlighting its contribution to increased efficiency and effectiveness.
Justice Fredrick Egonda-Ntende (Justice Court of Appeal) made a presentation of Background to Development of the Rules.
“This has been a long journey up to this point. We started considering the proposals for new Rules after Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) had started operating. It provided a background on what the Rules should be,” he said.
Adding; “…The Rules will help deal with how bailiffs deal with properties better. Being online will make the auctioning process transparent. The hide and seek we have seen in the past is intended to be done away with.”
He noted that it is crucial for these Rules to be considered and passed to facilitate the rollout of the ECCMIS to other courts.
Court of Appeal’s Justice Geoffrey Kiryabwire led the presentation and discussion of clause by clause of the Judicature(Electronic Filing, service and virtual proceedings) Rules, 2024.
He also stressed the need for a dynamic legal framework to support ICT advancement.
Ag. Principal Judge, Justice Musa Ssekaana, emphasized the need to fast-track the Rules and expressed hope that the team would polish them expeditiously so that they can be promptly implemented.
The programme manager was the Chief Registrar, HW Sarah Langa Siu.
Objective
The Objective of the Judicature (Electronic Filing, Service, and Virtual Proceedings) Rules, 2024 is to promote simplicity, fairness, and efficiency in court administration by reducing unjustifiable expenses and delays.
They aim to facilitate the creation and use of electronic registers, files, and the electronic filing and service of court documents. This includes the exchange of electronic versions of documents, electronic signatures, seals, payments, and the electronic archiving of court files among other things.
The Rules also cover electronic auctions, hearings, and certification of court documents.
Once passed, they will apply to all courts, parties, and entities involved in electronic court records and proceedings as well as Judicial Officers and other persons conducting business on behalf of Court