The judicial system has for a long time been regarded as one shrouded in secrecy, more so when court proceedings are usually not allowed to be covered by the media.
Also, the judicial system tries to keep court documents confidential since sometimes they may contain sensitive personal or state information. One has to wonder, however, how the digitalization agenda can help the judiciary make accessing publicly available court information easy as a move towards more transparency.
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Technology and Judicial transparency
Ghana has often looked up to the US in a lot of spheres and there’s plenty to learn from them.
Technology has changed how court records are accessed in the US. Platforms like the ODCR have made it easier for publicly available court records to be accessed on-demand.
Another portal dedicated to making Oklahoma court records available to the public is the Oklahoma State Court Network (OSCN). The platforms help improve accessibility to court dockets.
These are examples of how technology can contribute to confidence in the judicial system, and help with accessibility and accountability.
The way forward
The adoption of technology in justice delivery must be encouraged and an active system emulated by all states and countries to help boost confidence and accessibility.
Court management systems must be able to update records in real-time, making documents accessible as soon as they are entered by the court clerk.
Access doesn’t have to be free, the convenience that these platforms offer alone is enough for people to pay to have access to publicly available court documents.
Role of government
Since the judicial system is effectively part of the government, successive administrations must actively support and encourage the use of technology and by making funds available, to acquire, operate and maintain court management systems.
Conclusion
Technology application in the court of law is indispensable in the delivery of justice and in the furtherance of judicial transparency.
