US funding US$400,000 automated court case management system in Guyana

…to improve judiciary’s efficiency, reduce backlogs, promote faster hearings and increase public confidence

The U.S. Embassy in Georgetown on Thursday announced the development of an automated court case management system in Guyana in partnership with the local Judiciary.
The new system will come from an investment of over USD$400,000 and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of judges and court staff by automating document production, improving processes, and facilitating data sharing.

The project’s aim is to improve the functioning of Guyana’s judicial system by helping criminal cases to be handled more expeditiously, reducing the case backlog, and increasing public trust and confidence in the justice system.

The court case management system will utilize a shared, open-source, and cost-effective technology.
According to a release from the Embassy, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs is supporting the project, and the National Center for State Courts will implement the project alongside the Judiciary of Guyana.

The investment is the largest new investment in a judicial sector assistance program in Guyana in years and the project is scheduled to be completed in 17 months.

The project will likely bolster other initiatives of Guyana’s judiciary such as the Public Education and Engagement Programme launched in December 2020 in collaboration with the Canadian-funded Judicial Reform and Institutional Strengthening (JURIST) Project.

The project seeks also to build public trust and confidence in the judiciary and the judicial system even amid the pandemic.