Judiciary pioneers transformative reforms for faster, fairer justice

The judiciary is pioneering innovative approaches to transform the country's justice system, delivering faster, fairer outcomes for citizens. At the 10th Justice, Reconciliation, Law, and Order Sector (JRLOS) Peer Review Retreat, held in Nyagatare district on October, 28, Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo stressed the judiciary's commitment to innovation and inclusion, putting Rwandans at the heart of the rule of law during the official opening of the two-day retreat. A key focus has been embracing technology in court procedures and implementing reforms like mediation and plea bargaining. These efforts have already delivered remarkable results, with the judiciary resolving an astounding 2,199 cases through mediation in 2023/2024 alone - including 5 cases worth over Rwf 45 billion, the equivalent of what would have taken over 5 years under the old system. ALSO READ: Plea-bargain-which-cases-are-ineligible-in-rwanda Mediation has contributed significantly to reducing the backlog of cases in our courts, Judicial Spokesperson Harrison Mutabazi said. In 2023/2024, our courts solved 2,199 cases through this process, including 5 cases worth over Rwf 45 billion. Plea bargaining has also played a pivotal role, offering an alternative path for criminal cases. By negotiating plea deals, defendants can accept responsibility for their actions and often receive reduced sentences, while the court can bypass the lengthy process of a full trial, Mutabazi explained. In just over 2 years, we have resolved 15,000 cases, mostly involving inmates in correctional services. These innovations have not only streamlined judicial processes but also generated significant financial savings. During the 2023/2024 period, over 12,000 cases were resolved through mediation and plea-bargaining, resulting in savings of Over-Rwf7bn, in the previous year, the country saved Rwf 9.6 billion using similar methods. The minister praised the collaborative efforts of justice stakeholders, stating, Our singular vision of providing fair, transparent and efficient justice will help us reduce challenges we still acknowledge, including case backlogs, and bring services closer to citizens, especially in remote areas. Over the past 7 years, Rwanda has resolved 6,848 cases through mediation, with 2,199 cases settled in the 2023/2024 judicial year alone. An additional 10,785 cases were resolved through plea bargaining during the same period. These efforts ensure timely, fair justice and boost public confidence as Rwanda moves toward National Strategy for Transformation 2 (NST2), emphasized Chief Justice Ntezilyayo. ALSO READ: Six-things-you-need-to-know-about-plea-bargain The retreat also examined key strategies contributing to this progress, including increasing the number of judges and clerks, which led to a 2% rise in the number of cases processed. During the 2023-2024 Judicial Year, a total of over 74,000 cases were filed in local courts, with 2,305 remaining undecided. However, the system continues to streamline its processes, dismissing 3,118 cases in the previous year due to non-compliance with legal standards, while 1,693 cases await final registration approval. Over the last five years, the Rwandan judiciary has seen a 30% increase in filed cases that have been ruled, while the percentage of undecided cases has decreased by 17%. These trends indicate significant strides in improving the overall efficiency of the judicial process, though challenges in further reducing backlogs remain. ALSO READ: Rwanda-to-roll-out-plea-bargain-criminal-procedure-in-october Rwanda underwent its third Universal Periodic Review in January 2021, committing to implement 160 recommendations. The fourth UPR cycle is scheduled for early 2026. Both the mandate of the JRLOS and the UPR cycle require regular convening for stakeholders to take stock of what has been achieved, assess progress, and identify areas for improvement in justice, human rights, and governance. “E courts, virtual realities of the genocide memorial centers, improving forensic residence, those are achievements that are commendable,there is a lot Rwanda is doing in homegrown solutions which can not be seen in different countries in Africa. A justice system which believes in dialogue and conflict resolution is very commendable,” said Fatmata Lovetta Sesay, UNDP Representative and co- chair of the JRLOS.

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Judiciary pioneers transformative reforms for faster, fairer justice