Media Release: Singapore and Rwanda judiciaries organise forum to discuss court technology

Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) on Judicial Cooperation between Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon of the Supreme Court of Singapore and Chief Justice Dr. Ntezilyayo Faustin of the Supreme Court of Rwanda on 19 April 2021, the Supreme Courts of Singapore and Rwanda jointly organised a virtual discussion forum (“Forum”) on court technology on 22 November 2021. The Forum was the first in a series of collaborative activities focussing on capability development.

2 Justice Aedit Abdullah, High Court Judge and Judge-in-charge of Information Technology and Justice Rukundakuvuga Regis, President of the Rwanda Court of Appeal, together with senior officials from both courts, shared perspectives on the use of court technology at the Forum. This provided an opportunity for the two courts to exchange knowledge and experiences on the use of IT tools, applications, and systems to further enhance court operations and the administration of justice in their respective countries.

Delegation from the two judiciaries participating in the Virtual Discussion Forum.
[Top image (from left): Director, Strategic Planning, Policy and International Relations, Shirlynn Loo; Chief Transformation and Innovation Officer, Tan Ken Hwee; Judge of the Singapore High Court and Judge in-charge of Transformation and Innovation; Justice Aedit Abdullah; and Strategic Planning & Technology of the Singapore State Courts, Principal District Judge Toh Yung Cheong.
Bottom image (from left): Judicial Spokesperson, Justice Mutabazi Harrison; Inspector General of Courts, Justice Rutazana Angéline; President of the Rwanda Court of Appeal, Justice Rukundakuvuga Regis; and Business Analyst and Software Development Specialist, Uwamahoro Olive.]

3 For this purpose, topics of discussion included the effectiveness and prospect of case management systems and e-court management systems; IT transformation and innovative responses to emergencies; and the rationale, challenges and way forward for small claims procedures.

4 The MoU on judicial cooperation between the Supreme Court of Singapore and the Supreme Court of Rwanda signed on 19 April 2021 recognises the excellent bilateral relations between the two courts and seeks to enhance cooperation to promote the efficient administration of justice in the respective jurisdictions. The Forum on Court Technology between the judiciaries is useful in allowing both countries to improve judicial efficiency and effectiveness, thereby enhancing access to justice for their societies.

Issued by:
SUPREME COURT OF SINGAPORE
23 NOVEMBER 2021