Oman Highlights Judicial Digital Transformation at Arab Supreme Courts Forum in Italy

Milan, The Gulf Observer: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Supreme Judiciary Council, participated in the panel discussions of the Heads of Supreme Courts organized by the Arab Center for Legal and Judicial Research in Milan, Italy, under the theme “Towards Enhancing Judicial Communication.”

The forum brought together heads of judicial councils and supreme courts from across the Arab world, along with legal experts and specialists, to discuss strategies for strengthening judicial cooperation, institutional communication, and the exchange of expertise.

Oman’s delegation was led by Sayyid Khalifa Said Al Busaidi, Chairman of the Supreme Court, who represented the Supreme Judiciary Council during the high-level discussions.

The panel focused on four key themes, including the strategic plans of judicial councils and supreme courts in Arab countries, regional and international judicial experiences, Arab initiatives to enhance judicial communication, and recommendations for strengthening judicial cooperation and their implementation mechanisms.

The Arab Center for Legal and Judicial Research emphasized that meetings of supreme court heads represent an important outcome of joint Arab cooperation and reflect the commitment of Arab nations to enhancing collaboration among judicial institutions. The Center noted that supreme courts play a pivotal role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice across Arab judicial systems.

During the first session, dedicated to the strategic plans of judicial councils and supreme courts, Oman presented the Supreme Judiciary Council’s long-term Strategic Plan 2024–2040. The presentation was delivered by Dr. Salim Zwaid Al Hashemi, Assistant Secretary-General for Planning and Digital Transformation.

Dr. Al Hashemi outlined the institutional framework for developing and implementing the strategy in alignment with Oman Vision 2040, highlighting its objective of improving judicial efficiency while reinforcing the principles of justice and the rule of law.

He also showcased several digital transformation initiatives included in the strategy, such as electronic and virtual court hearings, digital integration with government entities, modernization of digital infrastructure, adoption of emerging technologies, and the establishment of electronic platforms for publishing court judgments and legal studies. The strategy also aims to expand digital judicial services to improve the overall experience of court users.

According to Dr. Al Hashemi, the plan seeks to enhance the efficiency of judicial services by reducing litigation periods, strengthening the enforcement system, improving court and notary services, enhancing case management, expanding alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and developing judicial assistance, translation services, and services for persons with disabilities.

He further highlighted the Council’s governance and performance management framework, which incorporates project management, performance measurement, risk and quality management, and continuous monitoring of strategic initiatives through measurable performance indicators to ensure the achievement of the Council’s objectives through 2040.

The second session reviewed notable regional and international judicial experiences and best practices, while the third focused on Arab initiatives to strengthen judicial communication, including discussions on a guiding Arab framework for the governance of artificial intelligence in the judiciary to support reliable digital justice, as well as initiatives aimed at building institutional capacity among judicial councils and supreme courts.

The forum concluded with deliberations on a set of recommendations and mechanisms for their implementation, reaffirming the commitment of participating Arab judicial institutions to closer cooperation and continued modernization of judicial systems.