Pretoria - Case flow management, electronic filing and alternative dispute resolution are crucial elements required to improve the efficiency of the country's courts, the Access to Justice Conference has found.
The conference, which drew to a close in Sandton on Sunday, acknowledged that the country's justice system suffered from certain deficiencies, which undermined the delivery of accessible, quality justice for all.
Those attending the conference - including traditional leaders, civic organisations, the Portfolio Committee on Justice, members of the legal profession and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development - made a strong commitment to address these deficiencies.
Case flow management - which would facilitate the just, speedy and inexpensive resolution of cases - was identified as one of the ways to enhance the effectiveness of the country's courts.
The implementation of an electronic filing system and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms would also help the courts become more efficient.
The conference decided that Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo should establish a committee on Access to Justice to pursue fundamental improvements in the justice system in order to ensure that it is accessible to all.
This committee will include representatives from the judiciary, the legal profession, the executive, the legislature, civic society and public interest law groups.
It will also have sub-committees that will focus on case flow management, e-filing, alternative dispute resolution, as well as the civil and criminal justice systems.
The importance of independent and impartial courts; public confidence in the judiciary; ensuring everyone had access to courts; and the need for the judiciary to be accountable were identified as some of the fundamental principles on which the country's ideal justice system should rest.
The role of the media and other branches of governments were also highlighted.
The conference noted that the media had a role to play in promoting access to justice and confidence in the justice system, while other branches of government had an obligation -through legislative and other means - to promote the accessibility, effectiveness and efficiency of courts.
"Ultimately, in order for our goal of delivering accessible quality justice for all to succeed, it will require that the three branches of government work together, and with all stakeholders, to approach the constitutional obligation that we share with mutual respect and ongoing communication," the Justice Department said.
The conference, hosted by Ngcobo and heads of courts, brought together 350 delegates from more than 11 countries.
"This conference was historic in that the three arms of government - the Judiciary, the Executive and the Legislature - came together to reflect on the state of our justice system consistent with their shared responsibility to give effect to the constitutional duty to provide access to justice," the department noted.