ECOWAS Court Of Justice Kicks Off Final Training Phase For New Electronic Case Management System

Zuma Resorts, Niger State, Nigeria – February 10, 2025 – The Honourable President of the Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS, Justice Ricardo Cláudio Monteiro Gonçalves, today officially opened the final phase of training on the new Electronic Case Management System (ECMS) at Zuma Resorts.

This crucial three-day session brings together judges, case managers, and key staff from across the ECOWAS region in preparation for the system’s official launch in April 2025.

The training, described as the culmination of a series of programs held in Lomé, Accra, and Praia, focuses on ensuring all stakeholders are proficient in using the ECMS and that the system fully integrates with the Court’s regulations.

This final phase builds upon a recent Quality Assurance Workshop where participants reviewed workflows, incorporated feedback, and ensured compliance with relevant legal frameworks, including the Instructions to the Chief Registrar and Practice Directions of 2012, 2020, and the newly adopted 2025 edition.

“This marks a pivotal moment,” stated Justice Gonçalves. “The Go-Live of the ECMS is scheduled for the first week of April, but several prerequisites must be met, including finalising system updates and validating workflows to ensure operational readiness.”

The training will involve practical exercises, including system walkthroughs and simulations, covering all aspects of electronic case management, from e-filing to delivering final decisions.

Justice Gonçalves emphasized the importance of several preparatory steps before the Go-Live, highlighting the deployment of technical tools, the finalization of user manuals, the establishment of a Help Desk, and the implementation of robust security measures.

He stressed the need for the Court’s IT Unit to take full ownership of the transition, ensuring both smooth implementation and the long-term sustainability of the ECMS, particularly given increasing resource constraints. He also urged active participation from all attendees to guarantee the successful adoption of the new system.

The new ECMS represents a significant step in the ECOWAS Court of Justice’s modernization efforts, aiming to enhance operational efficiency, accessibility, and transparency in case management across the region.

The successful implementation of the system promises to significantly improve the Court’s ability to deliver justice effectively and efficiently.