NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 11 – The Law Society of Kenya on Saturday warned the Judiciary’s reliance to the Executive for funding could halt the progress made in digitization the filing of court cases citing the possibility for the system to be abused to mine data.
LSK President Nelson Havi, in a message to mark the African Anti-corruption Day, rooted for the financial autonomy of the Judiciary to address the threat.
“Lawyers have accepted e-filing system. Still, there is merit in the complaint that the system may be abused to mine data. We need to know the capacity of Judiciary to host and protect the data. Relying on the Executive to fund may halt progress,” he stated in a thread published on twitter.
Actors in the justice sector including the Judicial Service Commission under the leadership of Chief Justice David Maraga have over time rooted for the creation of Judiciary Fund to resolve persistent under-funding challenges.
Maraga has proposed an allocation of at least 1.5 per cent of the national budget to progressively attain the globally recommended benchmark of 2.5 per cent, to enhance funding of courts which receive about 0.8 per cent of the national budget.
The e-filing system, officially launched in July 1, is meant to increasing efficiency in handling of cases, reduce corruption and enhance transparency.
Through the platform, advocates will be able to upload documents and assess court fees. Files submitted to the registry electronically are then placed before a judge for hearing.
“This is a key part of the Judiciary’s efforts to increase the use of technology in all its functions and achieve higher levels of efficiency and convenience to our stakeholders,” Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Ann Amadi said during the launch of the system.
The LSK, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), police, and members of the public have been advised to familiarize themselves with the e-filing system.
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