Kigali: Rwanda’s Judiciary is to start using the Electronic Filing System (EFS) – a new platform for filing court documents across the country – amid criticism of the slow pace at which court cases are handled, often with unnecessary delays.

The system will minimize the physical movement of people and court documents from office to another – usually causing lengthy delays, according to technical presentations made Friday. The EFS also comes with an electronic storage model for instead of papers within the Courts.

The first phase of the project starts next month with courts in Kigali to see how effective the system works as officials prepare to roll it out across the country.

Judiciary spokesman, Mr. Charles Kariwabo told reporters Friday that with the new system, people seeking judicial services from far rural areas will be able to access and submit hearing documents without having to come to Kigali.

This will save time spent physically going through court registers and enable easy access to information by the public, said Kariwabo.

High Court President, Johnston Businge, in his presentation, said litigants can now submit documents as well as request for electronic copies. The private law firms will also be served notices without leaving their offices which increases productivity, said Businge.

The EFS will further also allow faster response to the sender as well as access accurate and up-to-date information on hearing dates and documents file.