Dear Colleague,
On August 28, 2024, during the Annual General Meeting of the NBA Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP), four crucial documents aimed at guiding the use of technology in the legal profession in Nigeria were launched, including:
- Guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in the legal profession in Nigeria
- Guidance note on the implementation of IT solutions for law firms and legal departments
- Privacy guidelines for lawyers in Nigeria
- Cybersecurity Guidelines for Lawyers (developed by the NBA’s Digital Committee)
These documents serve as a comprehensive framework to help legal professionals navigate the increasingly digital landscape of law practice. They offer insights into best practices for implementing various technologies while addressing ethical considerations and potential risks.
Key points to note:
- The guidelines are designed to be flexible and adaptable, reflecting the rapidly evolving nature of technology.
- They provide a reference point for professional conduct relating to the use of technology, while allowing room for interpretation and application to specific situations.
- The development process involved extensive consultation with the legal community, with several 33 responses received and considered in the final drafting.
- These documents are intended to evolve, ensuring their continued relevance in addressing emerging technologies and practices.
We encourage all members to familiarize themselves with these guidelines and incorporate the guidance into their practice as appropriate. The documents can be accessed at https://nbaslp.org/committees/technology-law/.
For further information or inquiries about the guidelines, please contact the NBA-SLP via techlaw@nbaslp.org or visit nbaslp.org.
These guidelines represent a significant step forward in preparing Nigerian lawyers for the challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements in our field. We look forward to your engagement with these important resources.
Nigerian Bar Association
Section on Legal Practice
