Commonwealth countries, including Uganda, have endorsed a new set of measures aimed at enhancing access to justice during the Commonwealth law ministers meeting held in Zanzibar, Tanzania. These measures, the culmination of four days of deliberations among law ministers, were informed by inputs from various stakeholders, such as people with disabilities, civil society representatives, and legal innovators.
The focus of these measures is to address barriers to accessing justice and cater to the legal needs of all citizens. Key provisions include initiatives to improve access to justice for people with disabilities, the development of a model law on virtual assets, an action plan to combat online violence against women, and proposals to eliminate gender-discriminatory legislation.
Additionally, ministers welcomed a range of new Commonwealth legal resources, including a mediation guide, a small claims court app for dispute resolution, and a database for cooperation on criminal matters. They also adopted guidelines on the treatment of electronic evidence in criminal proceedings, providing member countries with a framework for crafting national legislation in this regard.
To ensure effective implementation, ministers have tasked the Commonwealth Law Ministers Action Group with reporting progress at the next meeting. These measures encapsulate the outcomes of the meeting, representing the consensus of ministers from one-third of the world’s population, at its conclusion on February 8, 2024.
Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Patricia Scotland KC, emphasized the critical nature of these measures, noting that a significant portion of the global population lacks meaningful access to justice. She hailed the discussions and decisions made during the meeting, highlighting the consensus reached as a significant step forward in ensuring equal access to justice for all Commonwealth citizens.
Ministers also acknowledged the Commonwealth Secretariat’s efforts in leveraging technology-driven solutions to improve access to legal information and transform justice delivery. Papers presented by the Secretariat in the energy and extractives sector, including a carbon tax model law and an oil and gas decommissioning guide, were commended for their contribution to addressing climate change and promoting a just transition.
The meeting, chaired by Dr. Pindi H. Chana, Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs of the United Republic of Tanzania, was hosted from March 4 to 8, 2024. Hussein Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, expressed satisfaction with the meeting’s achievements during the closing ceremony, highlighting the need for reforms to ensure accessible justice for all, particularly through digitization efforts.
The outcomes of the meeting will inform the agenda for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa later this year. The Government of Fiji is set to host the next Commonwealth law ministers meeting in February 2026.
