Imagine a court where you do not need to be physically present for a hearing; imagine a court where paper filing is obsolete; imagine a court where you have 24-hour access, seven (7) days of the week; imagine a court where a government would save on operational costs and pass on those savings to litigants; and even imagine a court without a courthouse. The picture is becoming clearer. Essentially, the courthouse and the dispensation of justice as we know it will be confined to the preverbal “dustbin of history”.
We are living in a world at a time where we spend most of our lives using technology in one way or the other. Moreover, we use technology to gain access to the outside world so that we can socialise, obtain information, engage in business relationships, purchase goods and services, conduct banking and other transactions, and more. In other words, the world wide web seemingly brought many aspects of life under the control of our fingertips- making life easier. As a result, many entities, public and private, are forced provide life-essential goods and services online for greater public access and efficiency. However, there is one major component of daily life that is yet to go online, that is the courts and tribunals system- the system that delivers justice. Of particular importance is the delivery of justice in civil and administrative disputes since they make up the majority of cases in any court system.
By the year 2022, it is the aim of the jurisdiction of England and Wales to resolve most civil disputes through online courts and tribunals. With the current system, the Elizabethans, Georgians, and the Victorians would recognise the core operations of the current justice system. However, some at this point would say that courthouses are computerised and that standard technological systems now form part of the courtroom and administrative offices. However, it is submitted, especially for Antigua and Barbuda (even the wider Caribbean), that there needs to be an ultra-radical reform to the process of justice delivered by civil courts and tribunals. According to the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales- Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, the proposed reforms in that jurisdiction is premised upon three core elements: a) the digitisation and use of state-of-the-art technologies in all procedures and hearings, b) the simplification of processes and procedures to set a uniform regime for civil and criminal courts, and tribunals, and c) modernising the physical infrastructure of justice to enhance efficiency and usefulness. Therefore, the standing question is whether the concept of online courts and tribunals can work in Antigua and Barbuda?
‘The Online Courts and Tribunals of Antigua and Barbuda’ (OCTAB) will be website driven by artificial intelligence (IA), catering more for disputing parties and facilitating a more investigative role in the resolution of disputes. OCTAB can initially deal with cases at the level of the Magistrates’ Court Civil Division. The type of cases within this jurisdiction may include matters involving rent/lease, debt collection, personal injury, discrimination, labour relations, marijuana ticketing fines, et al. Another possibility is that even non-contentious divorce proceedings can be conducted through the initial process. Comparatively, as of January 2017, Divorce Centres in the East Midlands, UK require divorce petitions to be completed online. The possibilities are endless regarding the areas that OCTAB can preside over to effect greater access to and management of justice.
The first step on the website involves helping user-litigants to evaluate their issues and even resolve their own disputes effectively through the issuance of guidance memos or remedial letters. If the matter is not resolved at this stage, the next step will be triggered. The second step entails the role of “online facilitators” (legally trained/qualified personnel) to mediate, advise, or encourage negotiations between parties. Again, if at this point there is no resolution to the matter, the final step will be triggered. The final step involves full-time or part-time members of the judiciary (in our case at this point, the magistrates) stepping in and resolving cases based on electronically submitted evidence. There would also be the option of having hearings in person or via Skype or FaceTime if so needed. This proposed reform is complex but necessary if enhanced access to justice is a priority. However, there are few drawbacks to the proposed reform ranging from the relevance of lawyers and court staff to the potential “opening of the floodgate”. This medium does not permit a full examination of potential disadvantages; however, mechanisms can easily be put place to remedy any potential drawbacks. For example, the reform does not intend to create a “lawyer-free zone”. It is hoped that lawyers will be channeled more into the resolution of disputes aspect of cases rather than into the confrontational style of litigation.
The time has come to drag the legal system and the justice process into the modern era. Moreover, this era offers a radical way in which access to justice can be accomplished most efficiently. Such a system may be costly to set up in the short-run; however, in the long-run, the benefits to be derived are plenteous and bountiful. Currently, many persons are deterred from seeking legal redress because of the high costs, complicated court procedures, and delays which are themselves threats to justice. OCTAB provides the opportunity to access justice at your fingertips whether it be from your desk, bed, couch, floor, kitchen counter, or even up in a mango tree. Such ultra-radical changes will bring about an uber-renaissance of justice at a time when courts are faced with an ever-increasing litigious society. Therefore, the proposed changes in England Wales can be adapted in Antigua and Barbuda, and as such, we should follow suit if we genuinely want to have a powerhouse of justice within the economic powerhouse.
For further insight, I recommend reading “The Online Court: Will IT work?” by Joshua Rozenberg QC (hon).
J’moul A. Francis, CAMLFC
BA Law (European Union and International Law)
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You’re darn right, J’moul! Our justice system here would certainly need to be ‘dragged’ kicking and screaming because it surely will resist that kind of drastic change! Antigua is NOT ready for that type of futuristic progress. Digitisation would be a joke! With current on and off ever so often, those online ‘facilitators’ and litigant, whatever, would be crying blood! And for your information, the time we spend online is mostly purely for leisure/pleasure…not business-oriented nor moneymaking.
So the assumption that we are ready for a digitalisation revolution is erroneous. As for me, I still would prefer the human touch, the meeting face-to-face with those scheming, two-timing suckers called lawyers…I would still prefer sitting on an old wooden bench (albeit termite-chiseled) and just taking in the proceedings. So, there goes someone’s fantasised digitalised courtroom…We have to wait for the right time, can’t rush it..We might get ‘dab’. For now, I don’t mind waiting ’till cock gat teet’
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