SDG Goal 16 seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. How would this goal be achieved in the post COVID-19 era with the surge in remote working?
Given the importance of the role of justice in African societies, the SDG16 aims to bridge the gap between citizens, law, and justice. It does not explicitly mention dispute resolution mechanisms in Africa. Nevertheless, it is abundantly clear that the respect of the rule of law is consequential to an effective system of dispute resolution capable of embodying the principle of equality for all before the law. Yet, many African citizens fail to have continued and easy access to a system of dispute resolution or mediation. Backlogged courts dockets often lead to years, even decades of delay before the plaintiff or defendant has access to a judge. With the new normal, how would remote work ensure access to justice?
In all, the SDG 16 seeks the emergence of a legal culture that grants African citizens confidence in the knowledge of their rights. It can only do so via an effective mechanism of dispute resolution whereby the African citizens can exercise their rights of access to justice. In particular, will the increase of remote work help or hinder SDG 16 and access to justice?
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This session is organized by ASIL’s Africa Interest Group
Speakers:
- Professor Damilola Olawuyi, Afe Babalola University, Nigeria (Key Note Speaker)
- Professor Funmi Olonisakin, Kings College London
- Ose Okpeku, Law Crest LLP Nigeria
- Professor Sope Williams-Elegbe, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
- Professor M. Abdel Wahab, Zulficar Partners Law Firm, Egypt
- Ijeoma Ononogbu, Co-Chair, ASIL Africa Interest Group, Moderator