Abstract
Advances in the information and communication technologies have led to the availability of a range of primary and secondary legal research publications online via the Internet, rather than on other storing devices such as compact discs or publications in the print media. Not only has information and communication technology (ICT) impacted on the availability of legal information resources, but its effects are also noticed in various law-related areas such as legal practice management, legal education, corporate governance and the law per se. The question addressed by this article is whether the application of ICTs has an effect on the practice of law, and specifically whether information and knowledge management affects the processes of legal research in modern legal practice. Various issues are considered in this regard, including what the concept of knowledge management (KM) entails in a law firm and what the current KM trends in South African law firms are. The article investigates global trends in the application of ICTs for legal research purposes, what the specific applications of KM in support of legal research may be, how information technology applications and KM systems and strategies can support the legal research process, and what the benefits of KM are to legal research. It finally discusses the impact technology has had on the skills required of competitive legal professionals.
Highlights
Has information and communication technology (ICT) impacted on the availability of legal information resources, but its effects are noticed in various lawrelated areas such as legal practice management, legal education, corporate governance and the law per se
Its reach in the South African context can be seen in, eg, the South African Judicial Education Institute Bill 2007; SAQA http://www.saqa.org.za 29 Nov; DoJ Integrated Justice System 374-375; IoD King II Report and the future King III Report; Electronic Communications Amendment Act 37 of 2007; Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 as amended; State Information Technology Agency Act whether the application of ICTs has an effect on the practice of law, and whether information and knowledge management affects the processes of legal research in modern legal practice
The above discussion is by no means comprehensive in its listing of the competencies a modern-day lawyer should have in order to compete in the globalised Internet age, but the significant impact the modern ICTs have on the legal profession should be clear
Summary
Advances in the information and communication technologies have led to the availability of a range of primary and secondary legal research publications online via the Internet or the World-Wide Web, rather than on other storing devices such as compact discs or publications in the print media.1 Not only has information and communication technology (ICT) impacted on the availability of legal information resources, but its effects are also noticed in various lawrelated areas such as legal practice management, legal education, corporate governance and the law per se.2 The question addressed by this article is
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
