The Role of Electronic Records Management in Promoting the Delivery of Justice in Tanzania: Perspectives from Dar es Salaam Commercial Court.

Abstract

This article discusses the role of electronic records management in promoting the delivery of justice in Tanzania. It addresses the existing relationships between electronic records management and delivery of justice. Data were collected through semi-structured interview and supplemented by docomentary review methods. A sample of 55 respondents was randomly and purposively selected. The findings noted that there was a positive relationships between electronic records management and delivery of justice in the court. Moreover, it was revealed that electronic records management promoted fast retrieval of court records, enhanced fast and informed decision making, reduced unnecessary delays, among others. However, the findings further revealed that, the absence of effective electronic records management infrastructures affected the delivery of justice in the commercial court. The article also establishes that inadequacy storage facilities, staffing levels hindered delivery of justice in the court. The article recommends that the Dar es Salaam Commercial Court should urgently develop and implement a records management policy, seek top management support at the highest level possible, build the capacity of the records staff, and launch a records management sensitisation programme for the entire court staff.

Keywords: Electronic records, records management, delivery of justice, commercial court.