KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Law Society (“SLS”) is presently making arrangements with the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak (“CJSS”) and other Court officers for the issuance of a Practice Direction for the conduct of virtual and video-conferencing hearings in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement released by it’s president Roger Chin, these steps are necessary in order to ensure that the wheels of justice keep turning whilst minimising the risk of spreading the infection between the bench, bar and members of the public.
The intended measures are made possible thanks in large part to the innovations made via the Case Management System (“CMS”) platform which is used by the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak, he stated.
” Many matters may soon be conducted via the CMS and video-conferencing, which previously required attendance in person.”
The Sabah Law Society is grateful to the CJSS and Court officers for their proactiveness and cooperation during this difficult time, according to him, adding that the SLS hopes that the measures presently in the works will continue to be used even after the pandemic has been dealt with, as the world moves towards virtual and online communications.
“Having technology available is however useless without the willingness to learn and adapt. The SLS is truly proud of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak which can operate independently of the High Court in Malaya and implement measures which are forward-thinking and more suitable to the local conditions in Borneo.”-pr/BNN
