Australian tech selected for Fiji's Judicial Department
Australian tech firm ReadyTech has supplied a transformational e-filing and electronic case management system for the Judicial Department of Fiji.
An official launch of the Ready Case system was presided over by His Excellency the President of Fiji Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere in Suva and attended by senior government officials and ReadyTech representatives including: Chief Justice the Honourable Kamal Kumar; Judicial Officers and The Honourable Deputy Prime Minister Mr Gavoka; Australia’s Chargé d’affaires of the Australian High Commission in Fiji John Williams and First Secretary-Governance Melissa Tipping; members of diplomatic missions; heads of independent institutions; and ReadyTech CEO Marc Washbourne, CFO Nimesh Shah and General Manager – Justice Peter Nanayakara.
Chief Justice Kamal Kumar welcomed the improvement to the current system, which has increasingly faced challenges supporting the processes and procedures to deliver timely disposal of cases.
“Our previous process of filing document after document before a case can be ready for trial is very time consuming and costly,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Kumar said his department was fully committed to the value of automating court operations.
“The hallmark of a democratic society is the provision of access to justice to members of the general public.
“The establishment of an electronic case management system embodies our aspiration to strengthen efficiency and accountability in the judicial system, underpinning both our strategic plan and the government’s Digital and Transformation Programme.
“Ready Case will improve the provision of efficient legal services and information, and establish a system for monitoring, analysing and reporting on case trends to strengthen accountability and transparency in judicial procedures,” Kumar added.
The solution, funded by the EU and implemented by UNDP, is also expected to contribute to the government’s carbon emission reduction plans, by removing previously required paper trails and travel, and enabling real-time online interactions.
The Chief Justice wholeheartedly thanked the European Union for its generosity and greatness in agreeing with the government to fund the Access to Justice Project. He also thanked the UNDP management and project team for assisting the Judicial Department in every respect.
President of Fiji Ratu Wiliame Maivalili Katonivere said digitisation is a key priority:
“Digitisation continues to transform the way and conduct of doing business and how we perform everyday activities in the 21st century. It greatly aids the transformation of economies though the enhancement of economy-wide productivity and competitiveness.
“… Digitisation in Fiji, is addressed in the 5-year and 20-year National Development Plan focusing on improving Fiji’s digital connectivity that is essential to transforming Fiji by supporting human capital development, commerce and trade,” he said.
Katonivere also applauded the ultimate vision that the digitisation system aims to transform the judiciary to be on par with developed countries.
ReadyTech’s CEO Marc Washbourne said he was excited about the possibilities the Ready Case solution would enable for Fiji’s justice system.
“Our open justice, highly configurable and extendable platform will make a real difference to the lives of many, by improving access to justice in Fiji through an out-of-the-box solution to meet unique needs, while realising the benefits achieved through a product- and sector-wide approach,” Washbourne said.
“We’re honoured to have played a part in this transformational project for Fiji and its constituents, and look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the Judicial Department.”
ReadyTech’s proven Ready Case solution is purpose-built for the Commonwealth justice sector, and is used by a number of leading justice departments globally, including The Australian Federal Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions and His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) — the executive agency of the Ministry of Justice in England and Wales.
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