The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding from the European Union (EU), on Thursday handed over approximately US$400,000 in information technology (IT) equipment and software to key justice sector agencies, marking another major step in Guyana’s push to modernise the administration of justice.
The Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Guyana Police Force are among the immediate beneficiaries of the donation, which was formally handed over at the UN House in Kingston. Additional agencies set to benefit include the Guyana Fire Service, Guyana Prison Service, Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory and the Ministry of Home Affairs, with distribution expected to be completed within days.
The support forms part of the EU-funded PACE Justice Project, a criminal justice reform initiative implemented by UNDP Guyana, aimed at strengthening the justice system through technology deployment, training and institutional capacity building.
Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire, welcomed the donation, describing it as timely and critical to the judiciary’s ongoing modernisation drive. She said the equipment and software — including court recording systems and associated hardware — will be deployed to courts across the country as the number of courtrooms continues to expand.
She noted that eight Liberty court recording systems handed over under the project will be added to 10 recently acquired units, with 18 courts already earmarked for installation. These systems, she said, will significantly enhance the accuracy and reliability of court records.
Justice George-Wiltshire said the judiciary has now “embraced technology wholeheartedly,” tracing its digital evolution from early computerisation and electronic file storage to the rollout of a cloud-based e-litigation and case management system in the High Court and Court of Appeal in 2024. That system is now linked to digital court diaries, while magistrates’ courts already operate electronic notice boards. Work is also underway to develop indigenous e-filing systems and electronic payment platforms for maintenance matters, traffic e-ticketing and court fees.
“A modern judiciary requires clear and reliable reporting systems to ensure a secure and accurate official record of court proceedings,” the Acting Chancellor said.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, said the government is appreciative of the support being provided through the PACE Justice Project, noting that it aligns directly with the administration’s vision to modernise the justice sector and strengthen the rule of law.
He said the administration of justice is fundamental to national development and economic advancement, and pointed out that the project was shaped through consultations with key agencies, including the judiciary, police force, prisons and the DPP’s office. Nandlall added that government has already begun supplying computer systems to the Guyana Police Force as part of efforts to eliminate handwritten records and fully transition to digital documentation.
UNDP Guyana and Suriname Acting Resident Representative, Katy Thompson, said the investment supports digitisation across the justice system and is intended to improve efficiency, collaboration and access to justice throughout the criminal justice chain.
She said Guyana has already benefited from more than US$870,000 in investments under the project, including support for restorative justice, criminal mediation, children in conflict with the law and criminal case management. These areas, she noted, are closely linked to the IT systems now being introduced.
Thompson stressed the importance of a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to justice reform, stronger inter-agency coordination and the use of interoperable digital tools to address bottlenecks in the system. She also highlighted prison rehabilitation and reintegration as an area requiring increased attention to reduce recidivism.
“We really want to start 2026 with a bang, making sure that this equipment is being used, staff are fully trained, and that it has a real impact on the work you do,” Thompson said, adding that UNDP will continue to monitor and evaluate the impact of the project.
EU Ambassador to Guyana, Luca Pierantoni, said the EU is pleased to support the work of the UNDP in Guyana and to contribute to the digital transformation of the justice sector. While underscoring the value of technology, he cautioned that it must remain a tool in service of people.
“In the end, people are more important. Technology is just a tool. The people using that technology are at the forefront of this change,” he said, reaffirming the EU’s openness to continued collaboration with Guyana.
Following the handover ceremony, members of the PACE Justice Project National Steering Committee convened to review Guyana’s proposed 2026 work plan, including plans for additional specialised software, IT equipment and further capacity-building initiatives. The work plan is expected to be finalised at a steering committee meeting scheduled to be held in Barbados next week.
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