By Justina Chirwa – Attorney: Litigation & Commercial Department
Court online sounds like a significant advancement for the South African legal system! By enabling electronic filing and case management, it aims to streamline processes and reduce the need for physical presence in court buildings. Here are some key benefits and features:
Key Benefits:
- Reduced Physical Movement: Minimizes the need for people to be physically present in court, reducing queues and congestion.
- Paperless System: Reduces the use of paper, making document management more efficient and environmentally friendly.
- Electronic Storage: Facilitates faster document filing and retrieval, reducing the risk of misplacing files.
- Concurrent Access: Allows multiple parties to access the same court file simultaneously.
Features:
- Automatic Routing: Electronic documents are routed to the appropriate registrar clerk for processing and approvals.
- Electronic Case Files: Provides law practitioners with electronic case files showing hearing dates, filed documents, and notifications.
- Document Sharing: Enables the exchange and sharing of documents electronically between parties.
- Real-Time Information: Offers accurate and real-time updates on case status and notifications.
- SMS and E-mail Notifications: Litigants can receive details of hearing fixtures via SMS or e-mail.
Implementation:
- Pilot Phase: Successfully completed in Gauteng in 2019.
- Full Implementation: Took effect from January 27, 2020, in the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria, and Johannesburg.
This system is designed to make the legal process more efficient, convenient, and accessible.
