Salutations 
•    Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon Delroy Chuck
•    Chief Justice of Jamaica, Hon Justice Bryan Sykes
•    Head of International Cooperation, High Commission of Canada, Mr. Shehryar Sarwar
•    ICT Authority, CEO, Mrs Anika Shuttleworth
•    Rwanda Corporation, CEO, Patricie Uwase
 

Good morning. 

UNDP is proud to join today’s signing ceremony a standout example of south-south cooperation, in furtherance of a historic shift in justice sector reform. Today represents a critical stage with this signing of a contract to advance an Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) for Jamaica’s justice sector. 

I wish to start with a big word of thanks to our partners at Global Affairs Canada, without which this would not be possible. The role of GAC in advancing justice sector capacity development has been transformations and UNDP is proud to have partnered with Canada here in Jamaica for over 15 years on this agenda 

The IECMS hints at a new digital paradigm in the administration of justice in Jamaica – one that is destined to become a hallmark of a modernized justice system.

This latest development, three years in the making, unites Rwanda, world renowned for its digital innovation in justice sector case management, and Jamaica, world renowned for its progressive justice sector reform agenda. 
Rwanda has distinguished itself in employing technology, backed by robust inter-agency collaboration systems and people-centred delivery, to advance transitional justice reforms. Their attention to transformative institutional and community-based modalities for justice service delivery holds key insights for Jamaica. 

These factors and the rich history of judicial reforms in both countries have enriched the Jamaica-Rwanda partnership, starting with a high-level Jamaican mission to Rwanda in 2022 and a high-level Rwandese mission to Jamaica in 2023. UNDP provided support through both its Jamaican and Rwandan missions, enhancing lessons in South-South partnership and knowledge sharing.

As proof of the importance of this initiative to Jamaica's vision of world-class justice services, the Jamaican delegation was led by the Honourable Chief Justice and the Honourable Minister of Justice and included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and the Director of the Court Administration Services. This resulted in meaningful identification and exploration of issues from policy, legislative, administrative, procedural and judicial angles of sight. 

Jamaica and Rwanda joined forces around one critical issue: An outdated paper-based case management system remains a barrier to Jamaica’s vision for an accessible and inclusive justice sector. 
Paper-based filing – leading to institutionally disconnected case management – results in costly information gaps and delays, disproportionately felt by vulnerable groups. This includes court users who are unrepresented, unfamiliar with justice processes, live in rural and remote areas, have intellectual, communication or learning disabilities, or mentally ill. 

A Jamaican IECMS will help local Courts bolster inclusive access to justice by transforming their case management systems to international standards, consistent with output seven of the Social Justice project. 

As a fit-for-purpose digital solution, the IECMS will ensure timely, efficient and effective delivery of justice services to all court users. This is consistent with the government’s policy of equitable access to justice for all, and UNDP’s 2022- 2026 Country Programme which prioritizes equitable access to justice, especially for vulnerable groups. 

Rwanda’s IECMS model has since been adapted and refined through bilateral discussions, virtual meetings and follow-up missions from Rwanda’s justice sector leaders and ICT providers.  The current strategy, which forms the blueprint for this design phase, represents a culmination of untold hours of input from the brightest judicial, technological and strategic minds on both sides of the Atlantic.

The IECMS will become a reality and paper-based justice will become history, under the auspices of the Social Justice project implemented jointly by the Ministry of Justice and the UNDP, with funding from Global Affairs Canada, our longstanding and committed funding partner of Jamaica’s justice sector reforms. 

IECMS roll out will be further strengthened by the development of an Access to Justice policy supported by the SO-JUST project. To this end we stand ready to assist the Judiciary and Court Administration Division with upgrading its internal policy framework to facilitate the implementation of the system.

Case management digitization is the next frontier to be conquered by Jamaica’s justice system, one that is completely in step with Jamaica’s vision to become a digital society. 

As we proceed, we must apply lessons learned to deepen access to populations often left behind. Digitization can be harnessed to level the playing field while reducing inequalities. IECMS is a profound and pragmatic example of this important principle. 

Thank you.