By Arnold Namanja

Blantyre, September 27, Mana: Chief Justice, Rizine Mzikamanda has said the launch of the Judicial Service charter later this year will enhance the delivery and administration of justice at all levels of society in the country.

Mzikamanda was speaking in Blantyre on Friday during the commencement of the 2024-2025 judicial calendar formerly known as Sherry Party.

“In our resolve to ensuring effective and efficient delivery of justice, the judiciary will later this year launch the Judicial Service charter,” he said, adding that the sector also launched a sexual harassment policy to ensure the work environment is free from sexual violence.

He said the judiciary has put in place deliberate measures aimed at enhancing performance of judicial staff as well legal practitioners which include continuous professional development programmes.

Mzikamanda added that the judiciary plans to establish e-courts which will comprise electronic filing system and e-portals to replace paper-based operations.

“From the e-justice conference that we attended in Rwanda, we drew a lot of lessons from our colleagues from Kenya and Zimbabwe who have completely gone paperless in their court system.

“It is our expectation that the legal fraternity will be enthusiastic about the digitalisation process because the judiciary cannot go it alone,” he said.

He also pointed out that the judiciary has established the Judicial Integrity Committee to effectively fight corruption in the sector, saying this committee builds on existing motto of ‘our people, their judiciary.’

“We just conducted an open day in Lilongwe earlier this week which aims at improving efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of justice. We also have an initiative called Court Lathu to facilitate speedy disposal of cases,” Mzikamanda explained.

He further disclosed that the judiciary will establish a Corporate Affairs Department in its attempt to bring courts closer to the people; thereby, improving administration of justice.

The chief justice said other existing programmes aimed at enhancing justice delivery would continue, citing court inspection visits to improve accountability, mobile courts, camp courts and the alternative dispute resolutions, among others. 

However, Mzikamanda observed that the judiciary has faced a number of challenges in the course administering justice. He singled out issues of funds, understaffing, backlog of cases and underutilization of the criminal justice committee.

Representative of the Attorney General, Counsel Chrispin Khunga said courts will continue to strive to provide justice to the vulnerable with integrity and fairness.

Khunga said rule of law remains important in preserving public trust to reduce the risk of corruption and mob justice.

“It is a fact that institutional legitimacy and integrity are key to sustenance of rule of law since it builds public trust and confidence in the courts. The bar and the bench should always work collectively to build public trust,” he said.

“A robust legal industry is essential to economic growth as it creates an enabling environment to attract foreign direct investors where the rule of law prevails,” he added. “In fact, successful administration of justice needs to be accessible, transparent and responsive.”

Speaking earlier, President of Malawi Law Society, Charles Mpaka thanked the chief justice for creating a very favourable environment for the legal fraternity to practice freely, noting that the judiciary has always been committed to holding the annual sherry party.

However, Mpaka advised lawyers to exercise restraint by focusing on section 9 of the constitution especially now in the run up to next year’s elections to avoid allowing emotions reign over professionalism.

“The courts as an important sector in the fight against corruption needs to provide its oversight role of protection, interpreting and enforcing the law. We also need to review the administration of the Attorney Consolidated Fund because there is generally a public outcry on this matter,” he said.

Earlier, the chief justice inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Police Bravo Unit. The police brass band also spiced up the event with a parade.