THE ESSENCE OF DIGITALISATION IN THE JUDICIARY

 BY: ANTHONY MICHELLE.

IMO STATE UNIVERSITY.

 

 

Introduction:

  The judiciary is the backbone of every democratic society. It safeguards rights, resolves disputes, and maintains the rule of law. However, the Nigerian justice system has long been burdened by systemic delays, congested dockets, Inefficiencies, paper-heavy procedures, and limited access to justice. The digitalisation of the judiciary is a structural reform capable of modernising how justice is delivered. It is a transformative shift toward efficiency, transparency, and improved justice delivery. It is not merely a technological reform but a constitutional necessity aligned with the rights to fair hearing, access to courts, and due process.

 

     The essence of digitalisation in the judicial system lies in its capacity to enhance the administration of justice. It’s importance are;

• It helps guarantee the right of fair hearing. Pursuant to section 36(1) of the constitution guarantees the right of fair hearing within a reasonable time, yet the reality of lengthy adjournment, missing files, manual record keeping prone to be easily lost and congested court often undermines this constitutional provision. Digitalisation helps actualise the right by creating a faster, more efficient judicial processes through electronic filing systems, automated case scheduling, Virtual court sittings which can be heard and disposed much more promptly.

• Increased access to justice.

The advancement of digitalisation in the judicial system will help litigants in remote areas join hearings virtually which ensures that access to justice is not limited to those who despite the distance are financially funded to be present in court, lawyers can file processes without being physically available which automatically saves cost and time that could be used to travel long distances.

• Resilience in times of crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the importance of remote judicial processes. Digitalisation allows the judiciary to remain functional even during pandemics, security disruptions, natural disasters, political instabilities this is to prevent justice from not being executed or halted even by unforseen events.

• Faster and more efficient justice delivery.

The electronic tracking and recording of cases, along with online access to court information and decisions makes the judicial process more open to the public. Digitalisation reduces case backlog through e-filing of processes, automated scheduling and serving court documents via email and court hearings still heard via Google meet or zoom.

   

  Challenges Faced Despite The Development In The Digitalisation_ In The Judiciary.

• Poor Technological Infrastructure: Despite efforts to digitalise the judiciary, many courts especially in rural and semi-urban areas still struggle with inadequate technological infrastructure. There is Unstable electricity supply, frequent power outages interrupt virtual court sessions and affect the use of digital tools. Virtual hearings, e-filing platforms, and digital case management systems depend heavily on strong internet. Slow or unstable network leads to adjournments and inefficiency.

• Digital Illiteracy Among Judicial Staff: Even in this century many Judges, registrars, and clerks may not be fully trained on how electronic filing systems, digital case management works. Some of them might not be internet literate and may not understand how to operate devices to help the virtual proceedings and hearings progress.

• Unequal Access to Technology: Digital courts assume that all participants have access to the necessary technology but this is not always true. Litigants in rural areas may lack smartphones, computers, or access to functional cybercafés. Low-income litigants may be unable to afford data bundles or stable internet. Some communities have no network coverage or very weak signals, making virtual participation impossible. The digital divide therefore threatens to worsen inequality and limit access to justice.

 

 

Solutions To These Challenges

 

• Government Investment in Infrastructure: For digitalisation to truly succeed, the government must prioritise technological capacity building in the judiciary. There should be installations of stable electricity systems, including solar backups, to guarantee uninterrupted power supply. Upgrading internet connectivity across all courts through collaboration with telecom providers.

• Digital literate judicial personnels: There should be mandatory IT training for judges and lawyers. If these personnels have noknowledge of digitalisation in the system there will be no progress in the virtual court proceedings and hearings.

• Bridging Digital Access Gaps: Creation of digital Access Centres in rural courts and there should be Provisions of subsidised access for indigent litigants.

 

 

Conclusion

      Digitalisation of the Nigerian judiciary is no longer a futuristic ambition but an urgent necessity for strengthening the justice system. It provides a transformative pathway for achieving faster, more transparent, and constitutionally compliant judicial processes. By enhancing fair hearing, improving access to justice, and ensuring continuity of court operations during emergencies, digital reform serves as a catalyst for a more functional and people-centred judiciary.

 

However, the challenges of poor infrastructure, inadequate technological literacy among judicial personnel, and unequal access to digital tools must be addressed for these benefits to be fully realised. With deliberate governmental investment, structured digital training, and inclusive policies that bridge the digital divide, Nigeria can build a judicial system that meets global standards and responds effectively to the needs of its citizens. Ultimately, the essence of digitalisation lies in its potential to restore public confidence in the judiciary, promote timely justice delivery, and uphold the rule of law in a modern democratic society.