IBA Urges Legal Practice to Embrace Technology

Mr Horatio Neto, President of the International Bar Association has emphasised on the need for legal practice to be based on Information Communication Technology (ICT).

According to him, as part of efforts in realising the theme for the on-going 2019 NBA conference, “facing the future” the Bar must now look forward to adapting itself to the reality of new technology.

“There is the need for technology to infiltrate every aspect of legal practice including filing of processes as well as assignment of these processes,” he said.

Neto said that young lawyers are more eager to work in a technology environment, adding that he is optimistic that the legal profession will attain the technological height of creating robots to execute legal works.

Mr Paul Usoro, President, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in a welcome speech said that the purpose of such annual conferences is to afford lawyers the opportunity to place contemporary issues on national agenda.

He said that the Conference also affords legal practitioners an opportunity to review the framework within which they operate.

According to him, apart from renewing friendships during such annual conferences, lawyers are also properly disposed in ensuring a protection, promotion, and preservation of the rule of law.

“The essence of being lawyers is to ensure that the rule of law is preserved as lawyers represent the voice of the oppressed,” he said.

Usoro said that the rule of law ensures access to justice, protection of the weak and strong, and independence of the judiciary, adding that it has no preference for tribe or political groups.

He urged delegates to make good use of the conference, which he described as, “Agenda setting”.

The ceremony had in attendance, members of the Senate and House of Representatives, Chief Judges, Judges of the Appeal and Supreme Courts, High Court Judges, Magistrates as well as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).