ECOWAS Court Launches Electronic Case Management System

The ECOWAS Court of Justice, led by President Ricardo Claudio Goncalv, launched an Electronic Case Management System (ECM) in Abuja. This initiative is designed to modernize judicial processes and strengthen access to justice for citizens across the ECOWAS region.

Goncalv described the launch as a landmark step in the court's efforts to promote the rule of law and protect human rights. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for judicial modernization, leading to the adoption of electronic case management practices and virtual hearings.

The ECM is a secure, multilingual, web-based platform that will manage judicial proceedings electronically, benefiting legal practitioners, litigants, judges, and court registries by improving access and speeding up processes. Goncalv disclosed that the court aims to register at least 80 percent of the legal profession on the platform within the next six months, ensuring that new cases are filed electronically.

He reaffirmed the court's commitment to innovating its institution to enhance the delivery of quality judicial services to citizens across the region.