Rwanda judiciary unveils ambitious five-year reform strategy
The Judiciary of Rwanda has unveiled a transformative five-year strategic plan (2024-2029) aimed at tackling key challenges such as staff turnover, case backlog, and inadequate infrastructure. With a projected budget exceeding Rwf141 billion, the strategy focuses on ensuring timely and quality justice delivery while aligning with the second phase of the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).
Addressing Case Backlogs
The judiciary has faced an alarming rise in case backlogs, increasing from 25% in 2017/2018 to 59% in 2023/2024, primarily due to a surge in case volume from 63,360 to 107,315 over the same period. This rise has not been matched with a proportional increase in judges and judicial personnel.
The report gained from the New Times shows that, to combat this, the judiciary aims to reduce the backlog to 30% by 2028-2029, with interventions costing over Rwf4 billion. Additionally, it seeks to cut the average time for case resolution from 10 months to seven months, bringing it closer to the legal standard of six months. Strategies include optimizing the use of digital tools such as the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) and strengthening judicial oversight to ensure timely resolutions.
Combating Judicial Staff Turnover
Staff turnover remains a significant challenge, with 35% of employees leaving their roles over the past 20 years due to low remuneration and heavy workloads. The strategic plan targets reducing this rate to 15% by 2028-2029 through improved pay structures, better working conditions, and performance-based incentives. This initiative is projected to cost Rwf28.5 billion.
Expanding Infrastructure
Inadequate infrastructure has also hampered the judiciary’s effectiveness. The strategy allocates Rwf74.7 billion for constructing eight new court buildings and a judiciary headquarters. An additional Rwf8.8 billion is earmarked for refurbishing 15 existing facilities over the next five years, ensuring that courts operate in conducive environments.
Leveraging Alternative Dispute Resolution
The strategy emphasizes alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation and plea-bargaining, to ease the burden on courts. The judiciary plans to triple the percentage of cases resolved through these methods from 10% to 30% by 2028-2029. This will include the introduction of mandatory pre-filing mediation.
Enhancing Digital Efficiency and Training
To improve efficiency, the judiciary will continue to enhance the use of digital tools, including the IECMS and Judicial Performance Management System (JPMS). Training judicial staff in court administration and digital tool utilization is a cornerstone of this strategy, ensuring judges and registrars effectively manage the increasing case flow.
Global Context and Best Practices
Globally, judicial systems facing similar challenges have successfully integrated technology and alternative dispute resolution methods to reduce backlogs. Rwanda’s emphasis on digital systems aligns with these best practices, offering a model for other developing nations. Moreover, addressing judicial staff turnover through better remuneration and work conditions reflects global trends aimed at retaining skilled professionals.
Rwanda’s new judiciary strategy presents a bold yet pragmatic approach to addressing long-standing challenges. By focusing on timely justice delivery, improved infrastructure, staff retention, and alternative dispute resolution, the judiciary is poised to enhance public confidence and ensure equitable access to justice for all citizens. Its alignment with global practices underscores the potential for transformative change in the justice sector.
