Law must adjust to era of robots - Lawyers

Nov 08, 2017

With this year’s theme dubbed: ‘future-proofing the legal profession in EA’, Gimara said there was need for not only lawyers but countries in the region to prepare for the impact of this evolving technology.

Lawyers in East Africa want the current judicial system reformed to incorporate new forms of technology, saying by realigning technology with the current legal system in EA, they (lawyers) will be able to sue technological innovations like robots.

"Technology has brought impact not only on the legal field but also society where robots are being invented to do all sorts of things. Now the legal system has been designed to respond to human beings and not machines. So if for example driverless cars hit the market and an accident occurs, what will you do? The current law is designed that a human is meant to drive the car," said Francis Gimara, the President Uganda Law Society (ULS).

Gimara was speaking on behalf of East Africa Law Society's (EALS) president Richard Mugisha at a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre, ahead of the society's 22nd annual conference and general meeting slated for November 15 to 18 at Imperial Resort Beach Hotel in Entebbe.

With this year's theme dubbed: ‘future-proofing the legal profession in EA', Gimara said there was need for not only lawyers but countries in the region to prepare for the impact of this evolving technology.

"If robots replace humans and harvest in agricultural fields, what is that going to do to unemployment of young people? We have to think of how to make the economy work for the young people," he added.

This year's conference according to Gimara will ensure that the legal profession in the region is rapidly brought up to speed on innovations relevant to the profession and on the international scene.

"Globalisation of practice and the increased integration of markets in the region have greatly changed how lawyers must conduct their businesses."

Other discussions pertaining to marketing EA as a destination for foreign investors will be addressed as well as the challenges that inhibit foreign direct investment and how economies can be attractive.

However, Edwin Tabaro of Karuhanga Tabaro and Associates said big businesses such as the oil pipeline, roads and railway network in the region are going to affect many people saying there is a need for lawyers to focus on the abuse of their rights.

He said the rights include land rights, indigenous people's rights, the environment and tourism could suffer as well. "A UK firm is coming to train lawyers on how to address the matters."

Over 600 delegates from sister bar associations in the EA community and beyond are expected to grace the conference.

Speaking at the press briefing, Sylvia Kalembe, a senior marketing officer at Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) said the board had embarked on a ‘MICE' strategy which includes (Meetings Incentives Conferences and Events) aimed at selling the country to various audiences.

"UTB will use the platform to disseminate more information on Uganda's tourism to achieve the 2020 target of 4million people visiting the country," Kalembe said.

 

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