Judiciary receives US$400,000 IT donation to boost digital services

As Guyana’s legal year begins next week, the country’s justice system has received a donation of IT software and hardware worth US$400,000 to improve service delivery.
The items were handed over on Thursday at a ceremony at the United Nations Headquarters on Duke Street in Georgetown.
The donation forms part of a collaborative initiative under the Partnership of the Caribbean and the European Union on Justice (PACE), involving the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the European Union (EU), the Ministry of Legal Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
To date, the Judiciary of Guyana has benefitted from approximately US$870,000 in donations, supporting access to justice, technological upgrades, and the administration of justice.
Speaking at the ceremony, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, said the intervention comes at a critical time, noting that “crime is now being treated as a public health issue in the region, underscoring the need for coordinated and modern responses.” He added that Guyana will host a regional roundtable of Caribbean Attorneys General in the coming weeks to examine criminal justice reform under the PACE initiative.
The PACE project aims to strengthen justice and security systems in the Caribbean by modernising institutions, improving access to justice, and promoting cooperation between Caribbean states and the European Union.
Nandlall said Guyana’s selection as a beneficiary aligns with the government’s broader vision to modernise the administration of justice, describing the justice system as the foundation for economic growth, social stability, and national development.
Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Roxanne George–Wiltshire, stated that the Judiciary “continues to advance its digital transformation with the presentation of new court recording software and hardware under the PACE Justice Project.” She highlighted that the Judiciary has implemented a cloud-based e-litigation and case management system in the High Court and Court of Appeal since 2024, and added: “We have 18 courts already earmarked for installation. These systems will definitely enhance court efficiency, and adding a modern judiciary requires clear and reliable recording systems to ensure a secure official record of the court proceedings.”
UNDP Resident Representative Kathy Thomas said the organisation’s support for strengthening democratic governance and the rule of law complements other aspects of economic and environmental development, noting it underpins the UNDP’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals.
European Union Resident Ambassador Luca Pierantoni said technology is critical to the digital transition, noting that while it presents new challenges, it underscores the need to continuously develop and upgrade systems. He emphasised: “Human resources are the key element, emphasising that technology is just a tool, and it is the people using it who drive progress.” (DPI)