Court Online - Gambian Judiciary E-Filing System

Introduction to Court Online System

The Court Online System (COURT ONLINE) is an advanced cloud-based collaboration solution developed by the OCJ (Office of the Chief Justice) to provide a secure platform for law firms (LFs) and litigants to electronically file court documents, manage cases, and share evidence online.

This system is designed to provide a seamless experience for legal practitioners, allowing them to file court documents and manage cases remotely. The system aims to modernize the judicial process, increase efficiency, and minimize the physical movement of people within court buildings.

Key Objectives of COURT ONLINE

Minimize the physical movement of people within the court buildings, reducing office queues and improving overall efficiency.
Reduce paper court documents, enabling a paperless court environment that leads to faster document filing and retrieval.
Leverage electronic storage to prevent misplacement of court files and allow concurrent access by multiple parties.
Streamline document processing by automatically routing electronic documents to the appropriate registrar clerks within the courts.
Provide easy access to real-time case information, enabling law practitioners to manage their court diaries, evidence, and upcoming hearings online.

Key Features of the Court Online System

The COURT ONLINE system incorporates several key features that make it a powerful tool for managing court proceedings electronically:

Electronic Case Filing (E-Filing): The system allows law firms and litigants to file court documents electronically from anywhere, reducing the need for physical court visits.
Case Management: Law practitioners can track the status of their cases, manage case details, and view hearing schedules all in one place.
Evidence Management: The system allows litigants to submit, review, and manage evidence electronically, ensuring real-time access to crucial documents.
Real-time Updates: Participants are notified of case developments via SMS and email, ensuring timely access to information regarding court proceedings and hearing schedules.
System Security: The Court Online System offers a secure and encrypted platform for the filing, viewing, and sharing of court documents, ensuring privacy and confidentiality at all times.

How the System Works

The Court Online System operates as an integrated platform that involves multiple stakeholders, including law firms, litigants, judges, and court clerks. Below is an overview of how the system works:

For Law Firms and Litigants:

Law firms and litigants create an account on the system and log in to file documents electronically.
They can submit court documents, track the status of their cases, and upload evidence directly to the platform.
They receive notifications about case status, hearing dates, and any updates on filed documents.

For Judges and Court Clerks:

Judges and court clerks use the system to view submitted documents, approve or reject them, and route them to relevant parties.
Court clerks can route documents to registrars for processing, ensuring efficiency in document management.
Judges have real-time access to case files and evidence, enabling them to make informed decisions in the courtroom.

Court Proceedings Covered by the System

The Court Online System is primarily focused on Civil Court proceedings, including the following types of cases:

Judicial Case Management
Civil and Criminal Appeals
Commercial Court
Divorce Actions
Opposed and Unopposed Motions
Special Civil Trials
Summary Judgement Applications
Trial Interlocutory Applications
Special Motions