The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) has taken a significant stride towards modernizing legal processes with the launch of a groundbreaking pilot project. The project, which utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, aims to convert audio recordings of court proceedings into real-time text. Developed by ‘FTR - For the Record,’ the AI-driven software aims to address the longstanding issue of transcript backlog, which has impacted the court’s scheduling of matters and access to justice.
Presiding over the soft launch ceremony at the High Court in Fortlands, St. Kitts, was the Honourable Chief Justice, Her Ladyship, Dame Janice M. Pereira. Expressing her enthusiasm for the project, Chief Justice Pereira believes that it will revolutionize court proceedings, stating, “This, I think, is really awesome in terms of the way it will revolutionize our court proceedings. I am really very pleased that we have been able to really do this soft launch.” She also emphasized the benefits of the technology for all court stakeholders, including court officers, judges, and litigants.
The use of AI-powered technology will reduce the burden of long-hand writing traditionally required of court officers and judges, easing the strain on their hands and health. More importantly, it will ensure proper access to justice for litigants at all levels of the court. This advancement is expected to have a lasting impact on the efficiency and accessibility of the judicial system.
The project has been met with great appreciation from various parties involved in the legal process. The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, the Honourable Garth Wilkin, sees this initiative as a monumental shift in the ECSC’s approach to resolving one of the most pressing challenges in the judicial system. It promises faster and more accessible justice for all.
Members of the Bar Council and the St. Kitts and Nevis Bar Association have extended their profound thanks to the court for its innovative approach and dedication to improving the efficiency of the legal process. The ECSC, a regional court that serves member states in the Eastern Caribbean, has been at the forefront of addressing judicial challenges and enhancing the efficiency of legal processes in the Caribbean since its establishment in 1967.
With the introduction of AI technology into court proceedings, the ECSC is leading the way in transforming the legal landscape in the Eastern Caribbean. This pilot project marks the beginning of a new era, where technology meets justice to streamline processes and ensure timely access to the courts.
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