Five year review (2004-2009) Policies and Oversight Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development Five year review (2004-2009) Policies and Oversight

Introduction Over the five year period under review the Department has focused on 3 strategic goals: Improving access to justice (language accessibility, vulnerable groups, physical access) Enhanced organisational efficiency (improved court management and modernisation of information technology systems) Transformation (of the legal profession, judiciary, review of the criminal justice system)

Intersectoral collaboration The Department is involved in development, planning and group meetings of the Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster. Key focus of activities - improve the functioning of the criminal justice system. Expand and integrate the integrated justice system programme (IJS) which seeks to improve the management of persons and cases through the justice system chain – case flow management.

Policy Initiatives Re aga boswa – court management model (2004) A flagship project – focused on the creation of management structures for courts to improve the quality of justice delivery and court efficiency . Core elements - the separation of judicial and administrative functions; the creation of senior management capacity at courts, and the decentralisation of functions and powers to court level. Performance indicators - increased court hours and number of cases finalised do not yet show a marked improvement.

Policy Initiatives Case flow management (CFM) Integration of information systems to streamline information on cases and accused between all role players in the integrated justice system, NPA, LAB, SAPS, Correctional services and judiciary. Establishment of local and provincial case flow management structures and CFM guidelines. Technology - e-scheduler an electronic interface with SAPS, Correctional services, NPA and the courts.Evolved into integrated case management system (ICMS).

Policy Initiatives Review of the Criminal Justice System 2004 – Cabinet identified need for comprehensive audit and review of the criminal justice system to address weaknesses and blockages – 7 point plan approved. Office for Criminal Justice System Reform (OCJSR), located in the Office of the Deputy Minister: Justice. A 2 phase process – a research review (best practice) which was outsourced to KPMG and implementation of the seven point plan. Legislation – Criminal Law (Forensics Procedures) Amendment Bill and the Criminal Procedure Amendment Act 65 of 2008.

Policy Initiatives Operation Isondlo – improve maintenance system (2005) Objectives: capacity building in courts; enforcement of Maintenance Act; clamping down on maintenance defaulters; appointment of maintenance investigators and educating and create public awareness on rights in terms of maintenance. Progress – increased capacity - maintenance clerks (427); maintenance officers (86); maintenance investigators (145); reduction in the backlog and tracing of defaulters. Central Electronic Funds Transfer Unit (CEFTU) to process all maintenance payments electronically from a central point.

Committee oversight Master of the High Court Subcommittee formed - meetings with stakeholders and the Department. Management of Monies in Trust Public Private Partnership (MMTPPP) Use private sector skills and systems infrastructure. Legislation: Traditional Courts Bill Progress report of previous committee for consideration.

Thank you