Advert

Law Technology: A Potential Justice System Transformation in Nigeria – By Adesuyi Daramola Esq.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly coming into its own in term of its use. There are thousands of social telegrams spreading that news that technology such as artificial intelligence will mean the end of lawyers. 

Although this is highly unlikely but, the technology could be the answer to the legal woes of billions of people who do not seek the help of a lawyer due to the enormous barriers to justice. We need only to look in our own backyard for an example.

Nigeria, despite its respected constitution and brilliant legal minds, still remains one of the most legally under-serviced countries in the world. The problems which are identified as the subject of a great deal of discussion range from judicial corruption to a lack of judicial independence to delays in the justice system.

In 2013, two High court judges were suspended and recommended for retirement by the National Judicial Council for misconduct bordering on corruption. Similarly, in 2006, a raid carried out by the Department of State Service, revealed that cash worth USD $800,000 had been found in the homes of senior judges suspected of corruption. Judicial corruption reduces public confidence in the country’s justice system. It  is reasonable to conclude that corruption remains a problem. Also, the inevitable parts of Litigation and the lengthy time spent on them is also a major concern.

The current system is not sustainable and even struggles to cater to the few who can access their rights. From the population estimate made by the world-o-meters, the population of Nigeria is over 200 million, it denotes that more citizens will want access to their rights of course; this begs the question of whether the existing system can hold up?

It is no longer news that we are entering a new age that is not just different, but has potential to be better. The positive contribution technology could have for the country is boundless. Nigeria stands to gain a more “just” society when we think about implementing technology and the future of the law.

The technology transformation  can create the following;

1. Online courts for undisputed or less complex matters, civil and family matters in the Customary, Magistrate and High Courts. With the growing backlog experience in those court and decrease in court hours. Online courts are open 24/7, which solves a great court time resource obstacle. They are able to adjudicate and finalise matters without delay in real time. Most importantly online court will draw on the objective ability of all judgments that take all relevant case law and legislation into account and the financial obstacle to justice is eliminated which will allow economically challenged citizens to access justice.
2. Online Dispute Resolution. Nigeria has a deep history of arbitration and mediation and this has gained considerable support and used in criminal justice and restorative justice. This system follows a staircase approach that tries to get participants involved as early as possible. You will agree with me that face-to-face mediation tends to only occur after a dispute has gained momentum. In this case, many disputes are nipped in the bud. All relevant information are uploaded and analyzed with the use of artificial intelligence, which finds similarities and notes disagreements and suggest solutions. If it fails, the parties move to another model.
3. The last but not the least is the implementation of 24-hour online legal advice and education system. Artificial intelligence and smart government department could be designed online and a virtual lawyer who is able to answer citizens in natural language and provide them with legal advice.

In the future, technology will play the most important part in improving access to justice in Nigeria.

Newswire, we present the world of law and the issues that engage them. This edition is yet again,  ‘Mind-blowing’. Go get your copy(ies) Now!

Do you need to be heard? Or your articles published? Send your views, messages, articles or press release to: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk  >>> We can cover your (LAW) events at the first Call: 08039218044, 08024004726

-Advertisement-

Grab our latest Magazine, "Kelechi Amadi-Obi - Transcending the worlds of Law, Visual Art and Photography". Get your order fast and stress free.

For more details about Newswire Law&Events Magazine, kindly reach out to us on 08039218044, 09070309355. Email: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk. You will be glad you did

Download E-Magazine

Do you want to be heard, your events covered, your articles published, or need to advertise your products and services on our Blog and Magazine, reach out to us at Newswire Law and Events, you will be glad you did. For more details about our services, please call: 08039218044, 09070309355. Email: newswiremagazine@yahoo.co.uk