Digital case management and automation can cut administrative inefficiencies, reducing opportunities for bribery and favoritism. A transparent and technology-driven legal system ensures fairer outcomes, increasing citizen confidence in the rule of law.

On March 24, the Ministry of Justice officially launched the development of the e-Justice Blueprint, a key initiative under the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project. This is a step toward modernizing the justice system.

The inaugural meeting at the Ministry of Justice headquarters in Freetown convened senior government officials, legal professionals, and key stakeholders committed to fostering a more efficient, transparent, and technology-driven justice system. Notable attendees included the Minister and Attorney General, the Deputy Minister of Justice, and the Project Coordinating Unit, led by Project Coordinator Kumba Musa. Also present were representatives from the Canadian Academic and Industrial Network (CAAIN), the consulting firm leading the blueprint’s development.

The e-Justice Blueprint will provide a strategic framework for integrating digital solutions into Sierra Leone’s justice sector. It aims to assess current legal systems and identify existing gaps, outline technical, legal, and institutional strategies for digital justice implementation, enhance service delivery, strengthen accountability, and uphold the rule of law.

The initiative seeks to establish a more accessible, user-friendly, and integrated justice system, ensuring citizens receive faster, more efficient legal services while improving transparency and trust in the judicial process.

Sierra Leone’s decision to develop the e-Justice Blueprint stems from several longstanding challenges in its justice system, including corruption, limited access to legal services, and inefficiencies. These issues have hindered the rule of law, economic growth, and public trust in the legal system.

The country ranked 108 out of 180 countries in the 2023 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (TI-CPI), an annual survey conducted by global civil society watchdog Transparency International to assess perceived levels of public sector corruption worldwide.

Sierra Leone’s ranking highlights persistent corruption challenges within the public sector, including the judiciary. This underscores the urgent need for judicial reforms and digital interventions, making the e-Justice Blueprint a critical step in addressing these issues.

By leveraging technology, Sierra Leone is laying the foundation for a fairer, more accessible, and development-friendly justice system, ensuring that legal services reach more citizens while promoting investment and economic growth.

Hikmatu Bilali