Northern Cape High Court goes digital to streamline court proceedings

NORTHERN Cape High Court Judge President Pule Tlaletsi launched the court's online programme on August 6, where the system will enable law firms and litigants to file court documents electronically from remote locations. 

The system will manage e-filing, digital case and evidence management for high courts, while law practitioners will be able to file documents electronically without being physically present in court. 

Tlaletsi said the paperless model would eliminate long queues and save litigants from travelling far distances to file court documents. 

“It will be more cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Notifications will be sent in real time on the progress of cases and will reduce the risk of lost documents. Pages will be automatically paginated and indexed in a standardised manner,” he stated.

Chief magistrate Oswald Krieling added that the digital system would be rolled out to the lower courts in due course. 

Advocate Hannes Cloete from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions indicated that the online system would be useful for the Asset Forfeiture Unit, court postponements and vulnerable witnesses.