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SUPREME COURT REPUBLIC OF ESTONIA

Ms Lim Bee Fum Deputy Director Judicial Policy Division Intemational Relations Singapore Government Directory LIM_B ee_Furn@j udic iary. gov. s g

Tartu,27 March2024

Co-operation regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the judicial system

Honourable Ms Lim Bee Furn,

The Estonian judiciary is currently drafting a comprehensive reform of the court system, which most importantly includes a review of all the digital solutions being used in the everyday work of the judges and that are also accessible to parties of the proceedings. Estonia launched its first court information system (KOLA) in 2002 for publication of court decisions and statistics. In 2006, the first generation complex information system (KIS) was introduced to the judiciary for handling documents and allow automated notifications and invitations. Ln2009, the first Public Portal for digital communication between the participants of court proceedings (police, prosecutors, citizens etc.) set place. In years 2013-2014, the second generation court information system (KIS2) was implemented, which enables the registration of court cases, hearings and judgments, automatic allocation of cases to judges, creation of summons, publication ofjudgements etc. Since then, multiple updates have been made to the system and innovations have taken place regarding the possibility to electronically submit procedural documents to courts and to observe the progress of the proceedings related to them with the ultimate goal to have paperless proceedings.

That being said, Estonia has now reached the point where the idea of digitalisation of the whole judicial process is relevant more than ever. We would like to reach the next level regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the judicial system and therefore a working group comprised of myself, Chairman of the Harju County Court and judges from first instance courts was set up in order to seek possibilities for further implementation of digital solutions and to draft a digitalisation plan for the court system.

As Singapore has been repeatedly cited as one of the most forward-thinking countries in the world when it comes to the implementation of digital solutions in the judicial system, our working group is very interested in learning about the digitalisation journey of the Singapore judiciary. Moreover, we would sincerely appreciate if we could get the chance to gather some

17 Lossi St, 50093 Tartu, ESTONIA.TeI +372 730 9002, fax +372 730 9003, e-mail: [email protected]

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ideas for our future digitalisation plans and the opportunity to pay a visit to Singapore to exchange experiences and share thoughts how to make the court system more efficient, user-friendly and accessible by using artificial intelligence. We are looking forward to developing a fruitful cooperation with you in order to put this invaluable knowledge into effect.

Please accept, Ms Lim Bee Furn, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours Y'

Villu Kõve Chief Justice Supreme Court of

Hus