The document summarizes Portugal's strategy to reduce case backlogs and shorten case duration in courts using technology and collaboration. The plan included developing 85 online services, 120 open datasets, and 3 cost simulators that received over 300,000 monthly visits. Modernization efforts like new interfaces for judges, automation of tasks, and improved workspaces helped achieve results, with 60% of court access occurring when courts were previously closed. The strategy focused on diagnosing issues, gaining stakeholder trust, executing monitored plans, and maintaining a people-centered approach.

1. D. MENA-OECD WORKING GROUP
ON REGULATORY REFORM AND
THE RULE OF LAW
OECD – ROUNDTABLE ON EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE
LISBON, 28 MARCH 2019
HUGO NUNES
STATE SECRETARY CABINET, MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, PORTUGAL

2. SETTING
(MACRO)
OBJECTIVES
Significantly decrease
case pending on all
courts and shorten case
duration using people-
centred and sustainable
initiatives

3. STRATEGY
Diagnose fragilities and constraints + foster innovation
Gain trust from stakeholders and promote (intense) collaboration
Frame everything on a plan
Execute, monitor and adjust with focus on results
Accelerate with technology
1
2
3
4
5
with a permanent people-centred mindset

4. THE PLAN

5. 85 online services
120 datasets (open data)
3 costs simulators
over 300,000 monthly visits
over 20,000 services completed every
month on the platform

6. CONSULTATION OF
PENDING CASES IN
THE COURTS
60% of accesses
occur on days or at times
when courts are closed

7. ELECTRONIC
JUDICIAL
CERTIFICATE

9. CLEAR LANGUAGE
Before (analysis)
After

10. IS AND EQUIPMENT
MODERNIZATION
New interface for judges and prosecutors
Automation of printing, enveloping and
posting tasks

11. New working
places that
invite, inspire
and change
status quo

12. And then, we got results, with “real”
people

13. OECD Roundtable on equal access to justice
March 2019
Thank you.
hugo.nunes@mj.gov.pt