Case Management System (CMS): Implementation Is At Final Stage

Through the CMS system, interlocutory hearing could be conducted via video or telephone conferencing between a Judge in his chambers and a lawyer from the latter’s office, and that only a full-blown trial should require the presence of lawyers in Court – Tan Sri Richard Malanjum, Sabah and Sarawak Chief Judge

TAWAU: The implementation of the Case Management System (CMS) in Sabah and Sarawak Court aimed at reducing the time lawyers have to spend in court is at the final stage, said Sabah and Sarawak Chief Judge Tan Sri Richard Malanjum.

“Also in the pipeline is another feature where lawyers come to Court only armed with notebooks or tablets  such as Ipads to conduct trials. This can be achieved with the maximum use of the Virtual Files feature that is  already in the CMS system,” he said in his speech in conjunction with the opening of Legal Year 2013 here today.

Also present at the event held at the Tawau Court were Chief Justice of Malaysia Tun Arifin Zakaria,  President of the Court of Appeal Tan Sri Md Raus Sharif and Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Abdull Hamid Embong.

According to Malanjum, with the Virtual Files, heavy bundles of pleadings and documents would be history while fair and signed orders could be issued immediately after hearings. Malanjum also said that by March this year the CMS system would be able to auto generate daily reports  suitable for publication in new media, which was very useful and helpful to Court reporters because it could minimise  errors in reporting.

“And if we are lucky, there might even be a data-sentencing feature in the CMS to assist the Bench in the  sentencing process and to come up with consistent sentences for similar offences. Such approach will further  enhance public confidence in our justice system,” Malanjum added.

Malanjum said he also hoped that the CMS system could be linked with the prison system soon to avoid movement of remand prisoners to and from the Court and also save time and money as well as ensure security.

Meanwhile, Malanjum also said all legal firms in Sabah and Sarawak had subscribed to the e-filing system  introduced by Court management in both states which had substantially reduced stress among legal practitioners in their daily lives.

Source: New Straits Times

- Case Management System (CMS): Implementation Is At Final Stage