On Thursday morning, the Kenyan Judiciary alerted the public about an intermittent outage affecting its crucial digital services, including the e-filing, causelist portal, and case tracking systems (CTS). These systems are indispensable to the legal fraternity and the public at large, offering seamless digital solutions for case filings, updates on case schedules, and the monitoring of case proceedings. The outage has caused significant disruptions, prompting the Judiciary to issue a formal apology while assuring the public that their technical team is working tirelessly to restore full system functionality.
In its official statement, the Judiciary acknowledged the outage and communicated that they are committed to resolving the issue as quickly as possible. “We are experiencing a system intermittent outage on our e-filing, CTS, and causelist systems. The technical team is working around the clock to ensure full system restoration,” the statement read.
The disruption in the Judiciary’s electronic systems, particularly in a digital era where such tools have become a cornerstone of legal processes, has drawn attention to the increasing reliance on technology in the judiciary’s operations. Notably, the Judiciary’s e-filing system is designed to allow advocates, litigants, and court users to file cases electronically, reducing the reliance on physical submissions. The causelist portal, on the other hand, provides litigants and advocates with real-time access to cases listed for the day. The case tracking system enables parties to monitor the progress of their cases at any time, significantly improving transparency and access to justice.
Temporary Measures in Place
In the meantime, the Judiciary has offered temporary measures to mitigate the impact of the outage. Applications filed under certificate of urgency and time-bound pleadings can be submitted via email. Court users are advised to forward their documents to the respective court stations’ email addresses, copying the Deputy Registrar of the Judiciary’s automation division at automationdeputyregistrar@court.go.ke.
The Judiciary’s prompt response in providing these interim solutions reflects its recognition of the importance of minimizing delays in legal processes. The ability to submit urgent applications via email ensures that critical and time-sensitive matters can still be addressed without significant disruptions. Additionally, the Judiciary provided contact details for inquiries, encouraging affected parties to reach out to the ICT directorate or the automation deputy registrar for further assistance.
“We apologize for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and understanding. For inquiries, please contact us through the email address: ictdirectorate@court.go.ke or automationdeputyregistrar@court.go.ke,” the statement added.
A Strain on Access to Justice
The disruption of these systems highlights the delicate balance between digitizing judicial processes and ensuring that they are resilient and functional at all times. The Judiciary has worked hard in recent years to digitize many of its operations, part of a broader effort to improve access to justice. However, this outage demonstrates the risks that come with relying heavily on digital platforms. Outages such as this, even when intermittent, have the potential to cause significant delays in the judicial process, affecting litigants, advocates, and court staff alike.
Advocates and court users have expressed concerns over the impact of the outage, noting that delays in accessing the e-filing system and case information can cause bottlenecks in legal proceedings. Some fear that even a temporary disruption could have long-term repercussions on case timelines, especially if the technical issues persist. For those with cases listed for hearing or judgment, the inability to access the causelist portal adds an extra layer of frustration, as they are unable to confirm when their matters are scheduled.
The case tracking system has been especially lauded for its contribution to increasing transparency in judicial processes. By allowing litigants and advocates to monitor the progress of their cases, the system reduces the burden on court staff and minimizes unnecessary visits to court registries. However, with the system down, this transparency is temporarily compromised.
The E-filing System: A Pillar of Judicial Efficiency
The e-filing system, which was first introduced in 2020 by former Chief Justice David Maraga, marked a significant milestone in the Judiciary’s efforts to enhance efficiency. The system allows for the digital submission of court documents, reducing the need for physical visits to court registries and the filing of hard copies. This, in turn, has helped reduce paperwork, improve record-keeping, and streamline the judicial process.
Earlier this year, in March 2024, Chief Justice Martha Koome oversaw the expansion of the e-filing system to all courts across the country, marking the culmination of efforts to make the platform universally accessible within the Judiciary. The e-filing system has been a game-changer, particularly for lawyers and litigants, as it allows for the filing of documents from anywhere, at any time, thus reducing delays and logistical challenges.
The causelist portal, another vital tool in the Judiciary’s digital transformation, provides litigants and legal practitioners with up-to-date information on the status of their cases and scheduled hearings. The portal’s ease of use and accessibility have made it an indispensable tool for advocates who can now plan their court appearances more efficiently.
Both systems are not only part of a broader modernization effort within the Judiciary but are also essential components of the Judiciary’s commitment to improving access to justice. The systems have contributed to reducing case backlogs and improving the efficiency of court processes.
Learning from the Outage
As the Judiciary works to restore its systems, this outage serves as a reminder of the importance of robust and resilient digital infrastructure in critical sectors like the judicial system. While the move to digitize the Judiciary’s operations has been widely praised, it also comes with challenges, particularly regarding system reliability and the need for adequate technical support.
To minimize future disruptions, there may be a need for enhanced technical measures, including better system redundancies, backup systems, and more frequent maintenance checks. As with any technology, issues can arise, but the Judiciary’s swift acknowledgment of the problem and the steps taken to provide alternative solutions are commendable.
Moreover, this incident highlights the need for ongoing investment in the Judiciary’s digital infrastructure. As the Judiciary continues to expand its use of technology, ensuring the reliability and security of these systems will be crucial in maintaining public confidence and trust.
The Future of Kenya’s Judiciary in the Digital Age
Kenya’s Judiciary has made significant strides in adopting technology to improve access to justice. The e-filing, causelist portal, and case tracking systems are part of a broader effort to make the Judiciary more efficient, transparent, and accessible. These systems have reduced delays, increased transparency, and streamlined processes that once required physical presence and paperwork.
However, the current outage serves as a reminder that digital systems are not infallible. Moving forward, the Judiciary will need to continue investing in its digital infrastructure to ensure that it can handle the demands placed upon it and avoid disruptions that affect access to justice.
In conclusion, while the Judiciary’s current technical issues have caused temporary setbacks, the institution’s commitment to resolving the problem quickly and providing interim solutions demonstrates its dedication to ensuring that justice is not delayed. The continued investment in technology will undoubtedly shape the future of Kenya’s judicial system, making it more resilient and responsive to the needs of the public in the digital age.
