Application Of AI In Legal Research Boosts Accuracy And Efficiency, Says Expert
Legal practitioner Taiwo A. Balogun has highlighted the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on legal research, emphasizing its potential to significantly enhance the accuracy of research findings while reducing the time lawyers spend manually examining materials.
Balogun explained that legal research, a fundamental aspect of the legal profession, involves gathering evidence to support legal conclusions. Traditionally, this process requires lawyers to meticulously comb through extensive legal documents, case law, statutes, and regulations, which is both time-consuming and labor-intensive.
“The effort expended in research is crucial because a legal practitioner is as good as their research. In law, the research speaks for the legal practitioner,” Balogun stated.
He described AI as a disruptive technology already making significant strides in various fields such as business, finance, and healthcare. However, its use in legal research and drafting remains relatively uncommon, particularly in Nigeria, where many firms adhere to conservative and traditional methods.
LegalDigitalNG, a legal reporting and digital publishing company, is pioneering the integration of AI into its digital platform to enhance the legal environment in Nigeria. Balogun noted that the platform aims to provide cutting-edge tools to legal practitioners and improve access to legal information through AI.
“The AI component of LegalDigitalNG assists users in conducting detailed legal research more efficiently. It reviews statutes, case law, and drafts correspondences to provide users with accurate and relevant information,” Balogun explained. “As a result, completing legal research requires less time and effort, allowing legal practitioners to focus on more strategic aspects of their work.”
Balogun’s remarks underscore the potential of AI to revolutionize legal research, making it more efficient and accurate, thereby enabling legal professionals to enhance their productivity and focus on delivering high-quality legal services.