The Management of Digital Court Records for Justice Delivery in the South African High Courts

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to review literature on the management of digital court records for justice delivery in South African High Courts. The study was guided by the following four research objectives: to establish the management of digital court records in High Courts; to determine the availability of infrastructure for the management of digital court records in High Courts; to determine human resources capacity in managing digital court records in High Courts; and to establish the barriers to effective management of digital court records in High Courts. This study employed the qualitative research approach grounded on content analysis of the literature review. The study established that although digital court records are vital to the administration of justice, these records are fragile in nature. This underscores the need for the effective management of court records in High Courts. The findings further revealed several challenges to the effective management of digital court records, and among others are: inadequate technological infrastructure, lack of technical support, and lack of information and communication technology (ICT) skills and knowledge. The study recommends the training of records managers and archivists in High Courts to equip them with skills and knowledge required to manage records in this technology-driven era, as well as an improvement of the existing digital records management programme.