Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation The rules require judicial offi cers in the High Court and lower courts to refer all civil suits to mediation before hearing can commence except suits under small claims procedure. Court accredited mediators to implement mediation rules 2013 Plea Bargaining The overall objective is to enhance the effi ciency of the criminal justice system, the decongestion of prisons and to avoid time-consuming and expensive trials. Workshop on Plea Bargaining Guidelines Sentencing Guidelines These Guidelines are intended to enhance consistency and uniformity in sentencing, which had hitherto been left to judicial discretion. The Justice, Law and Order Sector through a taskforce chaired by the Principal Judge, spearheaded the development of the sentencing guidelines with support from DANIDA (Denmark’s development co-operation under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.). Launch of Sentencing Guidelines for the Courts of Judicature Small Claims Procedure The procedure is less formal and user-friendly. It requires no legal representation as technical rules of evidence and procedure are discouraged. The SCP is less costly and a strong tool for case backlog reduction. Launch of Small Claims Procedure at the Makindye Chief Magistrates Court Justice Centres A one-stop-shop legal aid service delivery model that seeks to bridge the gap between the supply and demand sides of justice by providing legal aid services across civil and criminal areas of justice to indigent and vulnerable persons, while at the same time empowering individuals and communities to claim their rights and demand for policy and social change. Justice centre, Lira District Information Desks Information desks in courts have literature available in the different local languages covering topics such as access to justice; how the courts and Judiciary function; civil procedure; and human rights. Information desk at Masaka High Court Community Service Originally intended to lower prison populations and provide more humane treatment for offenders, the new policies provide space for participation by victims and the community, while creating room for the growing use of restorative processes. Community service E-Justice Portal The Judiciary is presently working on an e-Justice portal that will bring court services closer to local people through the use of the internet. E-Justice portal THE JUDICIARY HEADQUARTERS PLOT 2 The Square P.O. Box 7085 Kampala Uganda Tel: +256 414 23 3420 Fax: +256 0414/34 4116 E-mail: info@judicature.go.ug www.judicature.go.ug Innovations and Reforms in the Judiciary
CEP template 2012
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