This archive report was first published on 16 June 2020.
The Judiciary's shift to electronic filing of documents is set to have a significant impact on thousands of clerks who risk losing their jobs.
As of July 1, 2020, all courts in Nairobi will be using the electronic filing system (e-filing) exclusively, according to a notice from Chief Registrar Anne Amadi.
This means that advocates, public prosecutors, and members of the public will be required to register themselves through the Judiciary portal to access various services, including uploading documents, assessing court fees, and submitting files to the registry online.
With the e-filing system now available, many of the services that were previously undertaken by clerks are now accessible to lawyers, prosecutors, and the public through their devices.
“Any computer or device that allows attachment of files will be sufficient to access the system and carry out the e-filing,” said Chief Registrar Anne Amadi.
The Judiciary's move is part of its ongoing digitization efforts, with some courts already recognizing the service of documents through WhatsApp and email.
During the Covid-19 period, advocates have been filing documents digitally and attending court virtually, making the services of court clerks superfluous.
However, clerks may still be useful in instances where parties to a suit lack the technical know-how to use smartphones or computers, requiring physical service of documents.
