The introduction of the Integrated Electronic Case Management (IECMS) for the Judiciary of Zimbabwe has been a transformational journey. The Judicial Services Commission (JSC) faced immediate challenges in the design and development phase, as interaction with the developers had to be done entirely remotely due to the pandemic. However, the introduction of the system and early launch of online hearings was well received by both the Judiciary and the Law Society. The change management process to promote system adoption was driven by a concerted effort to apply lessons learned from similar projects, specifically in Rwanda. As a result, the IECMS has improved access to justice by allowing judicial proceedings to continue when they would have otherwise been interrupted. The Judiciary is now more accessible, efficient, and resilient against future shocks, and is eager to contribute to the growing international body of knowledge on justice sector change management and court automation.
Download the article to find out how the Judiciary of Zimbabwe prepared for digital transformation, the IECMS implementation journey, change management activities, as well as best practices and lessons learned.