The Supreme Court has partnered with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to create an electronic verification and case evidence management system, and to digitize court records.
The partnership inked on Monday, is part of the High Court’s programs under the Strategic Plans for Judicial Innovations (SPIJ) 2022-2027 aimed at modernizing court systems in the country.
In a statement, the High Court said the project also seeks to reduce case backlogs and streamline adjudication processes by utilizing cutting-edge technology, with KOICA providing advanced systems inspired by Seoul’s modern judicial practices.
The SC said under the project, court personnel will also be trained on how to use these “advance systems.”
Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen told South Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa and KOICA officials led by Country Director Kim Eunsub of the High Court’s dedication to improve the administration of justice through the use of technology. He also emphasized the need to do away with outdated systems in order to evolve with the changing times and move towards a more efficient, innovative, and accessible judiciary.
“We must prepare ourselves so that we, as an institution, can demonstrate our ability to adapt, no matter how daunting or difficult change may seem,” he said.
Leonen also noted how the High Court’s collaboration with KOICA will strengthen the Philippine Judiciary’s ongoing initiatives to modernize court processes and harness artificial intelligence (AI) such as eCourt PH V2.0, CALESA Digital, and the development of voice-to-text applications for trial courts.
During the meeting, South Korea’s Presiding Judge Park Byungmin showed Leonen an AI-generated video presentation showcasing Korea’s use of the new technology in courts. Among these are electronic litigation, judicial information systems, and video trial proceedings that the SC can utilize as it modernizes Philippine courts.
Under the partnership, from January 6 to 15, KOICA will conduct a preliminary survey in Philippine courts to gather crucial information. Based on this Leonen said they will come up with detailed plans to implement the system.
The SPJI is part of the SC’s five-year reform agenda to modernize court processes to improve efficiency and access to justice through the use of modern technology, including AI.
