By Precious D. Freeman
Chief Justice Sie A. Nyene Yuoh emphasizes the urgent need for modernization in judicial infrastructures to keep Liberia on pace with global technological advancements.
At the opening of the Supreme Court’s October term, she warned that without significant strides toward digitization, the country risks falling behind, potentially reverting to outdated practices.
“The modernization and digitization of all judicial infrastructures is a cardinal Strategic Objective of the Judiciary’s Five-Year Strategic Plan,” Chief Justice Yuoh stated.
This initiative aims to transition the Liberian judiciary from manual, paper-based processes to fully automated systems, enhancing judicial service delivery through increased efficiency and transparency.
The Chief Justice outlined several key goals of the digitization plan, including minimizing direct contact in judicial services to reduce corruption, speeding up case adjudication, securing court records, and establishing a robust performance evaluation system for judicial officials.
A significant development in this endeavor came earlier this year when the African Development Bank (AfDB) expressed interest in supporting Liberia’s judicial reforms.
During the Strategic Plan’s launch, the AfDB’s Country Manager lauded the judiciary’s vision and pledged to advocate for funding.
Following these discussions, the Ministry of Finance confirmed that the judiciary would be among the beneficiaries of upcoming financial support.
The first phase of the digitization project, which includes developing a primary digital infrastructure and an E-Justice Digital Platform, has been approved.
Five courts in Montserrado County, including the Civil Law Court and the Commercial Court, will pilot the new system, with the project expected to start in January 2025 and full implementation targeted for 2026.
In addition to technological upgrades, Chief Justice Yuoh highlighted ongoing efforts to review and reform legal codes and procedures to align them with modern practices.
A Review Committee, led by retired Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor, is currently finalizing recommendations aimed at eliminating delays in case adjudication and enhancing judicial integrity.
To ensure compliance with legal standards, the Chief Justice noted that the judiciary would enhance monitoring of magistrates and court processes.
She expressed concern over the prolonged delays in case resolutions, often exacerbated by attorneys’ tactics to prolong proceedings.
“Effective immediately, we will implement stricter measures to ensure that all cases are resolved within legally prescribed time frames,” Chief Justice Yuoh announced, stressing the importance of expeditious justice delivery, particularly in cases involving land disputes and serious criminal offenses.
Moreover, the judiciary is tackling the issue of unauthorized legal practice, which has recently come to light.
The Chief Justice condemned the presence of individuals falsely presenting themselves as lawyers in magisterial courts, warning of stringent penalties for both the impostors and the lawyers who facilitate such actions.
As Liberia navigates its path towards a modern judiciary, the Chief Justice reiterated gratitude to the AfDB and called for continued collaboration with the government and other partners to expand digitization efforts across the nation.
“The future of justice in Liberia is digital,” Chief Justice Yuoh declared, emphasizing that these reforms are not merely administrative but essential to uphold the rule of law and ensure equitable access to justice for all Liberians.
