Magistrates' Courts Embrace Technology, Documents Can Now Be Served Through Electronic Means

The newly-gazetted Magistrates (Civil) Courts Rules, which came into effect on February 1, now allow for the serving of court documents through electronic means.

Statutory Instrument 11 of 2019 simplifies the rules of the court. The new rules provide for service by telegraph, telefacsimile or electronic mail. Order 7 of the rules states that service by electronic means is the same as the usual physical service. Part of the new rules read:

Any process for service may be transmitted by telegraph, telefacsimile or electronic mail and a telegraphic, telefacsimile or electronic mail copy that is served in any of the ways prescribed in this Order shall be of the same effect as if the original had been so served

Speaking to The Herald, Wellington Pasipanodya of Manase & Manase Legal Practitioners welcomed the development. He however said those in rural communities where there is poor transmission, may not fully benefit from the new provision.

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