Printing of pleadings and court documents to stop in July

Pleadings and court documents will be accessed online beginning July 1, 2024 after Chief Justice Martha Koome ordered a halt on printing to enhance efficiency.

During the launch of electronic case filing on Monday, CJ Koome said the move is part of the Judiciary’s transition to sustainable practices and environmental conservation.

“To further strengthen these green practices, I now direct that Pleadings and documents will be accessed and processed online as printing will cease from July 1, 2024. Thus, no court should print pleadings and documents from July 1, 2024. The resources that go towards the purchase of printing paper will be used to buy desktops and laptops,” said Koome.

The e-filing system will be available in all courts countrywide from March 12 and it provides a data tracking dashboard and cause list portal for virtual case monitoring.

CJ Koome said the platform will enable one to monitor how cases are processed in courts and tribunals, from filing to conclusion.

“One of the most compelling features of this dashboard is its ability to detect and analyse case adjournments, pinpointing the reasons behind them and enabling comparisons across different courts,” she said.

“With real-time monitoring capabilities, the Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, and Heads of Court can now oversee the progress and performance of all court stations across the country.”