28 Jul 2013

Chief Justice Maruping Dibotelo has implored judicial officers to adhere to the judicial code of conduct.

Speaking at the annual judicial conference in Palapye on July 25, Justice Diboteleo said the conduct required all officers to conduct themselves with integrity so as to sustain and enhance public confidence in the judiciary.

He said he had been receiving many unpleasant reports and complaints which included delayed judgements, irregular conduct of court proceedings and use of inappropriate language by some judicial officers.

“If we do not keep our conduct in check, we stand to lose the respect, dignity and honour associated with being judicial officers. Our conduct, etiquette and language should clearly set us apart as sober minded people,” he said.

The code of conduct, he said required all judicial officers to perform all judicial duties, including the delivery of reserved judgements, with promptness and professionalism at all times, adding that officers carried a huge responsibility which involved the welfare of people beyond the litigants appearing in courts.

The code, he said also required officers to carry out duties with appropriate consideration for all parties, witnesses, court personnel and legal practitioners.

He said the value of botho, which was the cornerstone of judiciary values should be exhibited and underlay engagements and interactions with all those who came before the judiciary and those working with the arm irrespective of their status in society. “Intemperate and demeaning language in particular is totally unacceptable,” he said.

Justice Dibotelo further said a judicial officer must be consistent in terms of punctuality, decorum and integrity so as to earn the respect, status and authority of the office both in court and outside. The conference was held under the theme “Judicial Reforms: Prospects and Challenges.”

With the view to improve efficiency in the management of court records, he said, the 2005 introduced Court Records Management System (CRMS) was very instrumental in moving away from the manual management of court records and other information.

With the advent of CRMS, he said, access and accuracy of court information has improved significantly, adding that users are now able to view information associated with individual cases and court orders.

The system, he said has now been upgraded to explore its other capabilities that would accommodate other essential features such as requirements of Judicial Case Management (JCM), another reform introduced.

These developments, he said had brought about a lot of change by expediting service delivery resulting in quick and increased case disposal rates.

He said the judiciary has gone a step further to consider other systems and avenues that could support the drive for improved yet affordable access to justice by introducing ADR. ENDS