The Slow Adoption of Digital Transformation in the South African Judiciary

Abstract

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gauteng Division of the High Court introduced CaseLines and CourtOnline in 2020, marking the commencement of the SA judiciary's adoption of digital transformation. This qualitative study used the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to reflect that user resistance and spurning of technology delays the adoption of digital transformation. Literature indicated various barriers to adoption of digital transformation that can be classified under the two constructs of the TAM, namely Perceive Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease OF Use (PEOU) and suggested that a conscious effort to improve PU and PEOU will result in the acceptance and acceleration of the adoption of digital transformation. Thirteen in-depth interviews were conducted with Legal Practitioners (LPs), Advocates and Presiding Officers (POs) who are role players in the SA judiciary to obtain insights of their lived experience on the slow adoption of digital transformation in the Gauteng civil high courts. This study attributes the slow adoption of digital transformation to low levels of Perceived Usefulness (PU) and the absence of Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU). By using the TAM, the researcher was able to systematically address the factors that contribute to the slow adoption of digital transformation in the SA judiciary and to develop targeted strategies to enhance acceptance of digital transformation and thereby accelerate its adoption. The study recommends a comprehensive digital transformation plan that incorporates elements such as legislative reforms, stakeholder engagements, securing alternative financial resources, ongoing training and support and infrastructure investments as a way of increasing PU and PEOU, which will in turn result in accelerated adoption of digital transformation in the SA judiciary. The study concludes by indicating that accelerating digital transformation in the judiciary will improve effectiveness and efficiency, resulting in enhanced access to justice and will improve transparency and accountability, resulting in increased public confidence in the judiciary.