HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT RATU WILIAME KATONIVERE'S ADDRESS AT THE LAUNCH OF THE JUDICIARY DEPARTMENT ONLINE FILING SOFTWARE

 The Chief Justice, Honourable Mr. Justice Kamal Kumar and Members of the Judiciary;
 The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honourable Viliame Rogoibulu Gavoka;

 Ms. Erja Askola, Deputy Head of Delegation, European Union in the Pacific;
 Ms. Yemesrach Workie, Deputy Resident Representative UNDP;

 Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps;

 Members of the Judicial Department;

 Members of the Media;

 Distinguished Guests;

 Ladies and Gentlemen.

Miau sa bula re and Good morning to you all. I am indeed honoured and grateful for the invitation to be Chief Guest for this morning’s launch of the Judicial Department’s Online Filing System.

Digitalisation continues to transform the way and conduct of doing business and how we perform everyday activities in the 21st Century. It greatly aids the transformation of economies through the enhancement of economy-wide productivity and competitiveness. Digital Transformation is essential for any nation in order to better serve its citizens and when governments are committed to digital innovation and sustainability, it complements and promotes the effort to achieve all seventeen SDGs.

Digitalisation in Fiji, is addressed in the 5 year and 20 year National Development Plan focussing on improving Fiji’s digital connectivity that is essential to transforming Fiji by supporting human capital development, commerce and trade. The Digital Government Transformation programme complements the vision of the National Development Plan for “Transforming Fiji towards an even more progressive, vibrant and inclusive society.”

Digital transformation offers a range of economic, social and environmental benefits. Fiji jumped on the bandwagon of this global transition with the introduction of the Digital Government Transformation. The aims are mainly to implement government applications, share accurate information, enhance the overall ICT infrastructure, build and develop capacity in digital transformation and create wider awareness promoting efficiency and accessibility of government services to ultimately improve government’s performance.

The Judicial Department’s Online Filing system is another inclusion to the Digital Government Transformation programme. I acknowledge that the European Union through the UNDP had under the "Access to Justice Programme" provided funding for the procurement of a Case Management and E-Filing software for the Fiji Judiciary. Having signed the contract for the digital solution in December, 2020, and to purchase and set up the hardware on premises in Fiji, and importantly for this launch to take place approximately two years after is an achievement worthy of recognition.

Today we will launch the online filing software that offers two different modules that work seamlessly to provide the e-filing services. The first modules is known as Online Services or OLS – which caters to litigants, their legal representatives and other stakeholders who can lodge cases and file documents which they would ordinarily have to do physically at a Court Registry before such a system. The system further has the ability to process online payments for transactions. Having these online services would further cut down time and cost of travel for all stakeholders.

It does not stop there, once documents have been filed under the OLS, they are transmitted to the second internal system called the CaseHQ – which is accessed by Court Staff, Judicial Officers and the support staff within the Judicial Department who shall utilise the system for their day to day activities. The long-term target is to streamline services with all Court Registries in the country utilising this digital platform.

The new e-filing system is an end to end system that shall capture all the current physical workflow of the Courts, allowing for greater transparency and efficiency within the judicial system. With a click of a button the status of case files can be checked, again allowing for easy access to the general public and the stakeholders. Furthermore, service kiosks will be made available so that litigants that are unfamiliar with technology can still be assisted to lodge cases and file documents.

Like any new system, I have been assured that the system has been thoroughly tested by the Judicial IT Department and Registry Officers to ensure that quality, relevant, correct and objective information is available and easily accessible. Additionally, the Judicial Department will embark on a joint stakeholder and end-user training to ensure familiarity with the new system which will be useful for all Fijians.

I commend the Honourable Chief Justice for being personally involved throughout the entire process of the project ensuring that the system meets the requirements of the Judiciary and is user-friendly. I also commend and acknowledge the European Union, UNDP heads and representatives and all stakeholders involved in the completion of this successful project.

I applaud the ultimate vision that the digitalisation system aims to transform the Judiciary to be on par with developed countries and our blessings are with the department as you venture into this important phase.

With those few words, it is my honour to officially launch the Judicial Departments’ Online Filing System.

May God bless us all! Thank you and Vinaka Vakalevu!