By Vincent Obi
Praia, Cape Verde – The President of the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, officially launched the training programme for lawyers on the Electronic Case Management System (ECMS).
Holding from June 20 to 25 in Praia, Cape Verde, the programme aims to enhance the digital proficiency of legal practitioners from Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau, the Lusophone member states of ECOWAS.
In his opening remarks, Justice Asante highlighted the Court’s recent sensitisation missions in Lomé and Accra, hugely supported by the President of the Ghana Supreme Court, the Minister of Justice of Cape Verde, and the Cape Verdean government.
Reflecting on the history and mandate of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Justice Asante emphasised the Court’s expanded jurisdiction to adjudicate human rights cases since 2005, underscoring its role in upholding fundamental rights, the rule of law, and good governance in the region.
The court was established under the Lagos Treaty of 1975 and commenced operation in 2001.
Justice Asante described the Court’s digitalisation initiatives, expedited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the adoption of 2020 Practice Directions on Electronic Case Management and Virtual Court Sessions, as measures taken to significantly reduce litigation costs and enhance access to justice.
The new ECMS, he explained, supports electronic filing, service, and management of cases, streamlining judicial processes and making the Court more accessible.
The ECMS features an external user portal for litigants and lawyers, and an internal interface for judges and judicial staff, accessible every day in English, French and Portuguese.
This system facilitates real-time access to case information, court notifications, and virtual hearings, enhancing transparency and accountability.
The training in Praia marks the final phase of a comprehensive programme to equip lawyers from all ECOWAS member states with the skills needed to navigate the ECMS.
Previous training sessions were held in Lomé and Accra for Francophone and Anglophone lawyers respectively.
