The Electronic Filing System (or EFS) is the Singapore Court's electronic platform for archiving and document services in the litigation process. In addition, it provides applicants to the Supreme Court and Subordinate Courts with electronic registration and workflow systems; and electronic case files. The recent enhancements have added modules that facilitate hearing behavior using documents that have been submitted electronically.
EFS provides the legal profession with basic online case files from which documents can be filed electronically to court or presented to other parties in a case. EFS is also a source for electronic book search provided through the LawNet Litigation module. EFS is set to be replaced by the eventual iELS.
Video Electronic Filing System
Ikhtisar Sistem Pengarsipan Elektronik
The Electronic Filing System (EFS) is implemented by the Singapore Courts to provide a platform for Law Firms (LFs) to file documents to the Court electronically via the Internet. EFS is specifically designed to fully utilize electronic super highways to minimize not only the physical movements of people and court document documents from LF to Courts, but also to leverage the benefits of electronic storage in Courts: that is, the filing and retrieval of documents is faster. , deletion of wrong case file placement, concurrent access to see the same case filed by different parties, etc.
In the Court, EFS allows electronic documents to be automatically routed to the appropriate registry staff for processing. This system allows further routing in the court for instance for approval by the Task Registrar and the reply is then sent by the Registry staff redirected back to the originating LF. This has enabled the realization of increased efficiency by minimizing paper flow to shorten case processing times. Fees paid by LF to file documents to the Court are automatically reduced by EFS. The whole process is fast, convenient and efficient.
For LFS, EFS provides electronic case files that show the hearing dates and file documents by them, presented to them or received from the Court. It also provides an electronic platform for document services in other LFS. EFS also allows faster response and accurate and up-to-date information. Therefore, other benefits of EFS include an electronic quick document check and the ability to request and receive extracts of electronic documents over the Internet. Electronic book search and legal research are also available through LawNet. Lawyers can even obtain details of auditory equipment via Short Messaging System (SMS) using their mobile phones.
Inside the courtroom, the registrant makes use of EFS to conduct an audience in the electronic space using EFS.
EFS Component
EFS consists of the following components:
- Front-End (FE) is accessed via the Internet from any 'EFS ready' Law Firm desktop.
- A Gateway (GW) that receives delivery from LF or a reply from the Court, directs it to the appropriate party and calculates the fees Payable by LF for the transaction.
- Court Workflow Application (WF) located on the computer and serving Courts for internal routing and workflow processes in court.
- Hearing Module used for electronic checking.
- Standalone Key Management System (KMS)
Front End App
EFS FE is a web-based solution that accesses LFS from their PC via the Internet. LF must register to gain access. After registration, LF will be issued with a smart card containing a digital certificate from the Court Certification Authority. The FE provides LFS with an online case file where they can view the documents that have been submitted by them, presented to them or answered from the Court. The upcoming hearing date is also encouraged through EF at the law firm level and at the case level. Feature File-n-Serve FE facilitates document service on the other hand in case with one mouse click.
Documents are transmitted in Portable Document Format (PDF). To file or serve documents, LF must fill in the appropriate online template in FE and attach documents to be submitted or presented in PDF format. All submissions may consist of one or more documents and these are digitally signed using a smart card issued at registration to ensure authenticity and non-repudiation.
Gateway
When LF archives documents to the Court, the submission is actually received by GW which then performs a specific validation, calculates the fees to be charged and identifies to the user department where the submission will be directed. Replies from the Court are accepted by GW and directed to the correct LF for retrieval. GW performs the following important functions: (a) Automated validation checks when documents are submitted; (b) Implementation of certain specific rules; (c) Routing the mails automatically into the Court tray; (d) The calculation of the cost of postage stamps and other archiving costs; (e) Exchange of information between the Back End and the Front End.
Court Workflow Application
The business logic of the courts is built into this application. It summarizes routing workflows, document management and statistical report generation; documents are stored in the jukebox. Electronic casing files allow easy document retrieval; and upcoming improvements will compile and present case-related information in a single easy-to-use interface.
Hearing Module
The Hearing Module is customized to allow registrants and judges to use EFS to perform paperless checks in chambers. The Hearing Module will pick up all the file inspection cases that were set before the registrar to the local PC to enable the withdrawal of the documents quickly. The dual screen is deployed to allow viewing case files and minute sheets on one screen and view documents on the other side. The Pack-n-Go feature allows registrars and jurors to download all documents in case file to thumb drive for home reading.
Key Management System
The Court operates as an independent Certification Authority issuing digital certificates on smart cards to LF. The Key Management System (KMS), which is the center of this function, comprises the following components: (a) The Certification Authority Management System used to remove and revoke digital certificates; (b) Certificate servers that centrally store digital certificates; (D) Client System Web-based certificates used by LFS to manage the smart cards issued to them and to request and receive digital certificates which are then stored on the smart card; and (e) the web-based Key Capture Software that LF uses to generate their public-private key pairs.
Maps Electronic Filing System
Implementation History
Initial planning (1990 to 1997)
The early 1990s saw a number of technological initiatives that would ultimately pave the way for EFS development.
The LawNet information service, which initially provided a single database of legislation for the legal profession, was launched in 1990. LawNet's operations and other related technological developments are under the scope of LawNet Council (the precursor of the current LawNet Management Committee). From basic legal research services, LawNet eventually expanded between 1992 and 1997 into a comprehensive computer services network for the legal sector, comprising six modules covering key areas of legal practice:
- Litigation
- Share feedback
- Company Law
- Intellectual Property
- Legal Research
- Integrated Law Office.
The Judicial Administration's computerized program was completed in 1994. Under the program, a comprehensive network infrastructure is set up to support various applications, including connectivity to external systems. An Electronic Bulletin Board was also set up to facilitate communication via electronic means as a step toward a paperless office environment.
In 1995, the first Technology Court was launched. The Technology Court displays digital recording and process transcription, as well as facilities for multimedia proof presentations. The Remote Space Audience System was also launched to allow members of the legal profession to have problems heard through desktop video conferencing, and the Bulletin Board of Judicial Officers was formed as part of a gradual shift toward a paperless trial system.
In April 2003, the Honorable Judge appointed the EFS Review Committee to conduct a thorough assessment of the EFS. This review will ensure the continuing relevance of the system, along with technological developments and the growing needs of the legal profession. The EFS Review Committee makes certain recommendations for improvements to EFS, received by His Excellency the Justice Chief.
The EFS Review Implementation Committee (ERIC) was established in August 2003 to implement the recommendations made by the EFS Review Committee. ERIC will oversee the development of a new Electronic Litigation System to replace the current EFS. The system will leverage the experience collected from current EFS as well as utilize new, projected and upgraded technologies for new electronic case management systems. In this case, ERIC will develop a Roadmap Paper that maps the direction of the new Electronic Litigation System, and coordinates with the Rules Committee to review and modernize the Rules of Court.
The first project by ERIC is the Electronic Litigation Colloidal organization, held on April 17, 2004 at The Sentosa Spa & amp; Resort (formerly known as The Beaufort). The purpose of the seminar is to provide a platform for stakeholders at EFS to gather and gather their views and ideas about what a new landscape for electronic litigation in Singapore. Representatives from bench, bar, IT vendor and InfoComm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) are invited to Kolokium, to get good representations from various stakeholders from the litigation process.
Subsequently, the Select Group was formed to construct Roadmap Paper and produce a blueprint to pave the way for the development of a new Electronic Litigation System.
Roadmap Litigation Electronics
In the process of discussion, it was decided that the proper terminology for the new system was "Electronic Litigation System" (ELS) because different system interoperability would be required to meet new features in the ELS.
Paper Roadmap is broadly divided into two main parts. The first part describes the functionality that the ELS will provide. The second section addresses the problem of certain fair effects of the first part. The paper structure of the Roadmap is as follows:
Section I: ELS functionality (a) Case management for law firms; (b) case management for the court; and (c) Electronic hearings.
Part II: Consideration considerations (a) Review litigation process; (b) Cost and business model; and (c) Open technical standards for integration and interoperability.
Public Consultation Roadmap Electronic Litigation
Following the first publication of the Electronic Litigation Roadmap on January 10, 2005, there was a period of Public Consultation in which courts, law firms, government departments and IT vendors were invited to provide their feedback on the ideas debated in the ELS Roadmap. For this purpose, the ELS Roadmap Paper is published on the website of the Supreme Court, Subordinate Court, Legal and Legal Academy of Singapore.
There are a number of encouraging responses, with balanced distribution of comments from the stakeholders involved. The responses generally support the proposed ideas in the ELS Roadmap Paper, giving the respective - and sometimes, very detailed - observations and comments on the various concepts contained therein.
At the conclusion of the Public Consultation, the Electronic Litigation Roadmap was revised accordingly to include the relevant responses received. The ERIC was also re-established to form the ELS Committee in May 2005. It is estimated that in the implementation of the ELS, focus group discussions will be conducted to seek feedback on specific aspects of the ELS. At the same time, ELS reviews will be sought from various stakeholders at appropriate intervals during the implementation process.
See also
- Electronic court archiving
- Integrated Electronic Litigation System
References
External links
- Supreme Court website
- Electronic Litigation Roadmap 2004
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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