Ankara Bar Association field research for one of e-government applications; determination of the efficiency of Ministry of Justice National Judiciary Informatics System (UYAP)

Electronic government projects have been designed in the provision of public services in many countries in line with the developments as a consequence of the use of computers and the internet. These projects have been optimized as permanent e-government practices, through the development of the results obtained from the pilot areas. In Turkey, the Ministry of Justice, National Judiciary Informatics System constitutes the e-justice network of e-government structuring. In accordance with clause 445/I of Code of Civil Procedures numbered 6100, UYAP is an informatics system constituted for the purpose of conducting judicial services in electronic medium.Attorneys who stand as stakeholders of the said system are able to perform many judicial procedures electronically through UYAP. Attorneys? carrying out some of their operations from their offices through UYAP decreases bureaucracy and waste of time, which in turn provides economic advantage. The purpose of this study is the exploration of the encountered problems by the lawyers working at their offices and their perceptions of the UYAP system. In addition to this, determination of the actions to be taken was targeted for the dynamization of the system through results and suggestions coming out.Questionnaire that was applied to put the goal of the study into practice consists of two parts: demographic characteristics & information technologies and questions related to UYAP. Because of the large scale content of the study, considering the limitations of time and expenditure as well, random samples were chosen among lawyers in Ankara Bar Association. Survey was limited to 400 lawyers. Results obtained from the surveys were analyzed and interpreted by subjecting to some statistical tests.When we look at the attorneys? assessment of UYAP and use of information technologies we see that 86.2% of them has a positive view on UYAP and information technologies whereas the remaining 13.8 % has a negative attitude towards the same. Accordingly, it becomes clear that there is a very highly common belief recognizing the usefulness and effectiveness of UYAP. Those who stated a negative opinion on use of UYAP within the scope of the survey explained their reasons pointing out the failure of the system to function effectively, and the dimness they have sometimes experienced. On the other hand, the assessments made in favor of the system first made reference to its strong abilities, that is, the fact that UYAP allows work follow up without any time loss. Among the other strengths of UYAP as revealed in the survey are its qualities of being economic and time saving, uninterrupted communication, and avoidance of bureaucracy.As a result of the statistical tests performed, it has been found out that assessments of UYAP by the attorneys attending the foregoing survey varied by their age, working times, and working times spent by using computers. It has been seen that as the age, working time and time spent in computer work increase, the negative opinions arise. It has been also seen that average score of the answers given by those who had undergone training on UYAP and have spent more time with UYAP on a daily basis are higher.