attends the visual communication and from there, it is broadcasted to the courtrooms, where the competent judge presses the charges against him and the reasons for his/her detention. The accused is entitling to raise defenses, pleas and requests, while allowing his/her to attend, if any. 8. Digital transformation and the use of electronic means in criminal proceedings are advantageous to children and juveniles as it spares them the adverse effects of attending court hearings. Ethereal transmission (visual communication) is activated in special rooms in which they are present and the hearing is broadcasted through screens in courtrooms. 9. The Ministry indicated in its response that digital transformation has also affected issues related to pronouncement of judgment. It made sure that all parties involved in the case are aware of the judgment in line with the principle of publicity, and to preserve the right of the opponent and the accused of being informed of the outcome of the case. For that reason, screens were installed in the outdoor courtyards of the Ministry’s headquarters through which sentencing hearings are broadcasted by the competent courts, taking into account the applicable precautionary measures, as the case may be. The right to resort to a higher court to review judgments was also taken into account, by making it possible to appeal against judgments electronically in an easy and fast way. 10. Thus, the Ministry, in coordination with the relevant authorities, was able to move forward in the process of developing the judicial and justice services provided, while ensuring that rights and freedoms are not compromised in light of the challenges imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Section Three: Services provided by the Information and e-Government Authority 1. The judicial and justice sector witnessed a qualitative leap in terms of services available online. These services are diversified and include the following: licensing of lawyers, experts and private notaries, and the related services of issuing and renewing their licenses; issuing a replacement of lost licenses; authentication services, and the subsequent services of issuing authentication certificates and certification of idiochira; issuing a true copy; collecting related fees, and submitting performance follow-up reports at the notary public level. 2. Among the services related to the justice sector are litigation services, which include filing a lawsuit and submitting briefs; submitting related applications; submitting power of attorneys and electronic notification; Ninth Annual Report of the NIHR 72