Dipak Timalsena MIS Consultant

1. E-Judiciary Dipak Timalsena MIS Consultant ICT Strategy 2006-2010 for the Courts Service Plans, Prospects and Problems

2. “In the Future, the ways of working in the Judiciary will be improved and work process reformed….We need to guide changes in function and organization of Judiciary naturally…As well as actively promote clean, transparent, accountable and users friendly administration through ICT.” Hon. CJ Dilip Kumar Paudel

3. Introduction At the beginning of the 21st century The rate of change appears to be accelerating. How can leaders and policy makers design and enable our Judiciary to be more robust, sustainable, beneficial and transparent for all their stakeholders? … we stand before a DISCONTINUITY of unprecedented magnitude

4. View of e-judiciary e-Judiciary is not about ‘e’ but about Judiciary ! e-Judiciary is not about computers but about citizens ! e-Judiciary is not abouttranslatingprocesses but about transforming processes!

5. “The Judiciary upholds the rule of Law through effective judicial behavior and simple procedure which is cost effective, transparent and people oriented, The Citizens can be served anywhere and anytime,And the service provided by the Nepali Judiciary would be of International standards” Hon. Sr.Justice Kedar Prasad Giri

6. Key Security issue • Information protection is information security • Defining e-courts • The “paperless trial”, the web-based forum or the automated process? • “a body with an adjudicative function that makes use of ICTs to run proceedings.” • Defining courtroom technology • …generic expression…numerous forms of technology…may or may not be present in a courtroom.

7. Agenda • Where are we today? A diagnostic: Current ICT Implementation in Supreme Court & Pilot Courts • Where do we want to be? Vision 2010: A prescriptive future state • How do we get there? e-Governance Roadmap: Key recommendations and suggested action plan

8. EXPECTATION FROM JUDICIARY • To provide: • Speedy, less expensive and quality justice • Justice seekers further demand that the system should be: • Corruption-free • Transparent • Accountable • Users friendlily

9. Objective of Strategic Plan Domestic and international experience has shown that use of ICT in Judiciary accelerates case progression to reach its logical end within the set time frame with complete de-mystification of judicial process ensuring transparency and accountability.

10. Key Elements Of this Strategy • Continuity in using existing Developed Programee • The Evolution of Case Management System • The development of effective Information management System • The Development of effective governance by the Courts Service

11. Strategy for Sucess

12. Key Elements for Success • Dynamic Leadership by CJ/Justices /& Management Team • Focusing ICT development in Judiciary from available resources • Encouraging staff Cooperation • Expecting further resources/Support to enhance ICT • ICT prioritization as the Demand of Time • Expecting Government/Donor's Support

13. Leader’s Vision Good Judicial Governance Information Technology ITNJ Key Elements for Success

14. ICT-SC People Process Technology Three Pillars of ‘ICT-NJ’ ICT -NJ

15. Key Challenges • Inadequate awareness of the benefit of the ICT • Attitude-resistance to change • Lack of program management skill • Un sufficient Resources(Human /Physical /Fiscal)

16. “All the Judicial personnel are servant of the people and the people are the real master” “Judiciary cannot move without modern technology. Judicial management places the users of the courts in the center of judicial administration.” Dr. Ram Krishna Timalsena,Registrar

17. Where are we today?

18. Key on-going ICT initiatives • Acquired 550 Desktop Computers with 8 Small size Servers • Networking for 300 Computers in the Supreme court • Developed initial stage of the following Software's • Legal information System • Record Management System

19. Key on-going ICT initiatives Cont… • Personnel Management System • Store/Procurement Management System • Documents Management System • Misil (Case Records) Management System • Publish Weekly /Daily Cause-List in Web site • Prepared ICT-NJ Master Plan • Introduce Computerization process in 6 District Courts (PDC,MDC,CDC,KPDC,KDC,SDC) • Connected Kathmandu District Court to Supreme Court via Fiber optic Cable

20. Key on-going ICT initiatives Cont… • Introduced Unique Case Registration No. within Judiciary • Standardized Case management within Judiciary • Entered Back log running Cases and maintain up to date in Supreme Court, and other 6 Courts • IT awareness Training • 24 Hrs internet/email facilities for 400 Computers(300SC+100KDC) • Web Development & Web Hosting • Developed Appellate Courts Software and District Court Software

21. “As is” view of ICT Enablementin NepaliJudiciary ICT Enablement Courts

22. Where do we want to be? Vision 2010: A prescriptive future state

23. MISSION of “ICT-NJ” • To change the prevailing Judiciary system into E-SMART Judiciaries and look into implementations of systems being used in other Judiciaries around the world.

24. VISION of “ICT-NJ” • “Complete “Automation” of all processes in Judiciary by 2010” Note: Majority of the activities currently are conducted manually by using physical resources such as paper, traditional clothes-raping system (The Poko), hand to hand circulation and archive storing etc.

25. GOALS of “ICT-NJ” • Management Framework • Hardware • Software • Capacity Building

26. GOALS of “ICT-NJ” • Management Framework services • Formalized ‘ICT- NJ’ Master-Plan Document by 2005 November 15 • Establishment of ‘ICT- NJ’ National Task Force by 2005 November 30 (on progress). • Establishment of ‘ICT- NJ’ Coordination Unit by 2005 December 15 (on progress). • Appointment of external ICT-Consultation Team by 2005 December 30 (on progress) • Management Framework • Hardware • Software • Capacity Building

27. GOALS of “ICT-NJ” • Hardware • Bring all Appellate Courts under SC into single network by 2006. • Provide at least 15 Computers to Non-Gazatted employees in Appellate Courts by 2006. • Provide at least 5-10 computers per District Court by 2009. • Connect all Appellate Courts with SC by using Radio-link or Dial-up by 2007 • Connect all District Courts with Appellate Courts & SC by using Radio-Link or dial-up by 2009 (depending upon the availability of electricity and telephone) • Management Framework • Hardware • Software • Capacity Building

28. GOALS of “ICT-NJ” • Software • Program Planning Monitoring Evaluation Information System • Legal Information System (LIC) • Decision Management Information System • Criminal Case Traking System • Lawyer License Management System • Record Management System • Financial Administration System • Personnel and Payroll Management System • Office Automation and Communication System • Store Management System • Library Management System • Documentation Management System • eRegister • Public Domain Information Dissemination System • Management Framework • Hardware • Software • Capacity Building

29. GOALS of “ICT-NJ” • Capacity Building • ICT Awareness Building Programme (to all SC employees by 2006 , to all Appellate Courts staff by 2007 and to all District Courts staff by 2009) • ICT Management Training Programme (to all Justices, first and second class officers of SC by 2006, to all Judges, first and second class officers of all Appellate Courts by 2007 and to all Judges, first and second class officers of all Courts of District by 2009) • ICT Basic Usage Training (to all SC employees by 2006 , to all Appellate Courts staff by 2007 and to all District Courts staff by 2009) • ICT System Management Training (to few selected personnel for ICT system management and maintenance of Supreme Court by 2006 , for all Appellate courts by 2007and for all District Courts by 2009. • Management Framework • Hardware • Software • Capacity Building

30. How do we get there? “ICT-NJ” Roadmap

31. NATIONAL PLAN Plan propose to implement ICT in Nepalese Judiciary in three phases over a period of five years

32. PHASE I (two years) To introduce ICT culture with requisite training at all levels IMPLEMENTATION PHASES OFICT IN NEPALESE JUDICIARY • PHASE II (two years) • To provide ICT coverage of Judicial processes from filing to execution and all administrative activities PHASE III (one year) There will be creation of Information Gateways between Courts and Public Agencies and Departments and use of advanced ICT and scientific tools

33. OUTLINES OFPHASE-WISEACTIVITIES

34. PHASE I (TWO YEARS) • Creation of computer rooms in all the Courts complexes • Around 1200 Judicial Officers will be provided with Computers • Extensive ICT training to Judicial Officers and Court staff • Arranging of awareness programs and training modules for lawyers • Well structured database will be created of all the pending and fresh cases with user-friendly retrievable facilities • Installation of wi-fi facilities and creation of video-conferencing studios in the Supreme Court including Benches • Creation of e-filing facility in Supreme Court …

35. Reporting Procedure

36. PHASE II (TWO YEARS) • Complete Automation of Registry level processes • Digitilization of Law Libraries and Court Archives • Digital availability of case laws, statute laws and law literature through the website of Nepalese Judiciary (www.supremecourt.gov.np) • Availability of video conferencing facilities at all Appellate Court complexes • Facilities for e-filing in at least all the superior Courts

37. Web Site

38. PHASE III (ONE YEAR) • Establishment of Information Gateways between Courts and police stations, prisons, land record and registration offices as also other governmental agencies • Use of bio-metrics and other high-end scientific tools

39. Capacity Building • IN HOUSE COURSES • Induction Programmes • Refresher Courses • Other focused Programmes • OVERSEAS TRAINING • International Seminars • Conferences • Workshops • Other short courses

40. PROJECTED ACHIEVEMENTSAT THE END OFEACH SUCCESSIVE PHASE

41. AT THE END OF PHASE I • We will be able to build up the capacity of the Judges for delivery of speedy and quality justice • National Judicial Data Center will provide litigational trends in the country for all levels and geographical locations supporting better management and policy decisions • ICT modules will be available for assessing work performances. • There will be instant availability of status of cases, judgments and orders of all Courts through Internet, kiosks and facilitation centers • ICT will facilitate case flow management, online accessibility of orders, judgments and case related data • connectivity to lawyers in and around Court complexes for accessibility of case status, cause lists, judgments and orders

42. AT THE END OF PHASE II • Automate registry level processes eradicating delays, harassment and corruption at this level • Digital production of under-trial prisoners and distant examination of witnesses through video-conferencing • Online availability of legal resources to the Judges, lawyers and public at large • Availability of e-filing facilities at Appellate Courts

43. AT THE END OF PHASE III • Availability of online information between the Courts, prosecuting and investigating agencies, prisons, land records and registration offices will accelerate disposal of civil and criminal cases • Bio-metrics and scientific tools will help in identifying habitual criminals, professional witnesses and litigants and in resolution of complex factual disptues

44. ‘ICT-NJ’ IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

45. QUESTIONS

46. Technology in eGovernance Technology for better Governance Key Elements for Success - Technology Thank You deepak@supremecourt.gov.np +977-9851055821