Chief Justice urges judiciary to use case system to address delays

Chief Justice Abdul Ghani Mohamed on Tuesday urged the judiciary to make full use of the newly launched Integrated Case Management System (ICMS) to resolve long-standing cases in the courts.

The system, which has been introduced as part of judicial modernisation efforts, is currently operational at the Criminal Court. It is linked to the Prosecutor General’s Office system and allows cases to be filed online directly with the court, according to the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA). The platform also enables the electronic exchange of case documents between agencies.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Chief Justice said the system was expected to reduce the time spent on filing, registration, scheduling, and conducting cases. He added that it would also address challenges in case management, ease the workload of courts, and allow lawyers to manage their schedules more effectively.

“I urge all judges and staff to see this as an opportunity to reduce the backlog of cases and work towards that goal,” he said.

The Chief Justice said the new system would harmonise court procedures across different courts and ensure greater transparency in case handling. He emphasised the need for the judiciary to adopt technology and continue upgrading systems to prevent them from becoming outdated.

He said judicial reforms should not stop with the introduction of the ICMS and called for continuous updates to maintain efficiency.

The Chief Justice also highlighted the importance of ensuring that all stages of trials are arranged fairly. He noted that a transparent and structured process would strengthen public confidence in the judiciary.

The judiciary has faced criticism for delays in case resolution, with a number of cases pending for years. The launch of the ICMS is part of broader reforms aimed at improving judicial efficiency.

The Chief Justice said the judiciary’s responsibility was to protect the rights of the people by upholding the law, and systems such as the ICMS would play an important role in achieving that goal.