Lagos – Some lawyers in Lagos have called
for the use of both electronic process and manual process of filing
cases side by side to facilitate justice administration in the state.
Electronic process of filing lawsuits by counsel on behalf of their
clients is a legal reform undertaken by the Lagos State judiciary in
September 2012 to fast-track administration of justice and justice
delivery.
Since the introduction of the e-filing system, there have been both
kudos and knocks from members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
about its efficacy and the hiccups being experienced.
The lawyers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos on Thursday that the electronic process of filing cases was a novel idea that would require
a lot of time for the counsel to get familiar with.
A lawyer and social critic, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, said that while the
electronic process of filing of cases was not a bad innovation as it
will hasten the judicial system, its smooth operation might take some
time.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
“You file cases sometimes it will take you quite a while, maybe an
adjournment or two, before you get to know even the court and the next
date of adjournment. It is very embarrassing.
“At the time we were doing manual filing, at least, you will follow
what you have filed, you will see how the files are moving down to
when it is being assigned to a court.
“Now, the reverse is the case. It is very difficult to understand.
“ What they would have done is to allow manual filing side by side
with electronic.
“In which case the manual filing would have taken place first, the
cases would have been in court.
“And then, they can now put all these cases into an electronic system
so that it would be easy for you to access which court.
“When they have been assigned to a court, then they can load it to the system.”
According to Ataene, “there should be a gradual adoption of the
electronic filing process, instead of a full implementation which most
times, leaves lawyers in difficulty”.
Similarly,a lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Ogedi Ogu, also
stressed the need for the modification of the electronic process of
filing cases on behalf of litigants.
He, however, agreed to the fact that if fully embraced, the
introduction of the electronic filing process is cost-effective in
addition to improving the system of keeping records in the courts.
“There is still need for the e-filing section to improve on it.
“For instance, when they initially started, they were sending updates
to counsel through their emails.
“ But these days, you don’t get any updates from them, you still have
to go back to the internet to log in.
“But before, once they assigned your case to issue permanent suit
number, they will communicate to you but these days there is no such
thing.
“You have to log into the reception for you to have any update,”
Ogu , however, said if the problems could be addressed, the
electronic process of filing cases in court would go a long towards
quickening the disposal of cases.
Also speaking, another lawyer, Mr Emenike Nnoromele, described the
process as “a welcome development.”
Nnoromole said that the exercise saved the time of counsel who in the
past waited endlessly at court registries to file their suits.
The lawyer said that the merits of the electronic process of filing
cases far outweighed its demerits despite the teething problems.
He urged other legal practitioners to buy into the system and sustain it.
According to him, operating both the electronic and conventional
filing processes side by side makes no harm to justice
administration. (NAN)