Ethiopian Capital Market Administrative Tribunal (ECMAT) conducted a review of its 2018 Fiscal Year six-month report, alongside an evaluation of the draft service delivery charter.
According to the report, ECMAT, during the first six months, implemented the Digital Court System, engaged with International peer institutions, prepared a draft service delivery charter, and created awareness for public outreach, are the most notable core
Concerning the Digital Court System, the Tribunal organized its courtroom in a manner that enhances transparency and accessibility of judicial proceedings. This was achieved by installing high quality cameras, standard compliant sound amplification and audio recording equipment, and by ensuring that all information recorded during proceedings involving judges and litigating parties is securely stored.
In addition, the Tribunal operationalized a system that enables users to follow court proceedings remotely via the Zoom application without requiring physical presence, through the installation of a dedicated display screen.
The report further indicates that the virtual Zoom based judicial service system is integrated with the Tribunal’s official website. As a result, users who are unable to attend hearings in person can request virtual participation by completing an online form, after which a secure video conference link is sent via email and/or SMS. Using the transmitted link, users are able to attend court hearings remotely in a manner that is free from security risks.
Another key activity undertaken by the international engagement was reaching an agreement to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tanzania Capital Market Tribunal for collaborative engagement.
In addition, concept notes aimed at establishing cooperation were sent to counterpart institutions in other African countries, notably Kenya and Nigeria. These initiatives are intended to serve as a foundation for organizing a Capital Market Tribunals Forum in East Africa and across the African continent.
The Administrative Tribunal also conducted public awareness programs for 491 participants drawn from seven regions and the two city administrations, covering five thematic areas of the legal framework governing the capital market, the roles and responsibilities of capital market service providers, the process of public disclosure of offering documents and the necessary precautions, securities and capital market participants, and prohibited practices in the capital market.
Furthermore, a draft service delivery charter was prepared with the objective of enhancing customer satisfaction and institutional trust by delivering services in accordance with the principles of transparency and accountability.
The draft document serves as a service delivery agreement, setting standards based on the type and scope of services provided by the Administrative Tribunal as well as the nature of services delivered to users, as clearly indicated in the report.
