By Ragan M Conteh

The Lawyers Society of Sierra Leone made history on Friday, October 10, 2025, by hosting the inaugural Legal Tech Summit at the Freetown City Council Auditorium. The event drew legal professionals, policymakers, media practitioners and innovators to explore how emerging technologies can transform the legal landscape, improve access to justice and enhance professional efficiency.

Secretary General of the Lawyers Society, Margaret A.L. Davies, opened the summit emphasizing that the event represented a critical intersection of law and innovation. “We are charting new territory where traditional legal practices meet transformative technology,” she said, noting that the summit’s goal is to foster dialogue, challenging assumptions, and developing collaborative solutions, especially through AI-powered research tools, block chain applications and digital ethics in legal practice. Madam Davies encouraged attendees to actively participate, connect with one another, and envision their role in shaping the future of law in the digital era.

Representing the General Legal Council Mr. Ibrahim Sorie praised the summit as a timely initiative in line with global legal technology trends. He expressed excitement about the discussions and panels, noting that the integration of technology into legal practice was crucial for improving efficiency and modernizing the justice system. Ibrahim Sorie underscored that the ultimate objective was to ensure that technology serves as a tool to enhance legal processes, rather than replace the human element essential to law.

The summit’s guest speaker, Professor Burkhard Schafer of the University of Edinburgh, delivered his address virtually, highlighting the profound impact of technology on legal services. He traced the evolution of AI and digital tools in law since the early 2000s and stressed that technology must be deployed responsibly. “While AI offers efficiency, it also introduces new risks, and understanding its limitations is essential for courts, lawyers, and legal institutions,” he explained.

Professor Schafer further examined the challenges posed by AI in legal decision-making, cautioning that case summaries and automated tools could not fully replace the nuanced judgment of trained lawyers. He called for regulatory frameworks to govern AI applications, emphasizing that lawyers must retain a central role in maintaining ethical and professional standards while integrating technology into practice.

Concluding his address, Professor Schafer urged legal professionals to embrace technology as a means of augmenting their work rather than viewing it as a threat. He highlighted that transformative digital tools could democratize access to legal information, streamline workflows, and create opportunities for innovation provided they are implemented thoughtfully and ethically.

Keynote speaker, Mr. Edgar Kuhimbisa, an e-governance consultant from Uganda, offered an in-depth perspective on the practical application of legal technology across Africa. He reflected on the disruptive potential of AI and emphasized that legal practitioners must prepare for technological shifts to remain relevant. “Disruptive technology challenges how we work, but it also presents opportunities for efficiency and productivity,” he noted.

Kuhimbisa shared comparative insights from Uganda, Ghana, and South Africa, citing initiatives like e-filing systems, online case management, and smart contract platforms. He highlighted the importance of contextualizing technology for Sierra Leone, arguing that solutions must align with local realities, available resources, and human capacity.

He stressed that the success of legal tech depends on deliberate investment in people, training young lawyers, and fostering mentorship programmes. “The greatest ideas are often the simplest,” Kuhimbisa said, encouraging incremental adoption of technology through pilot programmes and proof-of-concept initiatives.

Kuhimbisa also addressed the role of AI in daily legal operations, noting that while automation can streamline repetitive tasks, it must complement and not replace human judgment. He emphasized that legal professionals must retain decision-making authority and ethical oversight while leveraging digital tools for efficiency.

Highlighting the broader societal impact, he underscored that technology should enhance access to justice and improve outcomes for citizens, not merely serve institutional convenience. He called on stakeholders to invest strategically in legal tech infrastructure, legislative frameworks, and data protection mechanisms to ensure long-term success.

Concluding his address, Kuhimbisa urged Sierra Leone’s legal community to adopt transformational, not just modernizing, approaches to legal technology. “Our goal is not only to be efficient today but to build a foundation for future generations of legal professionals,” he said, urging participants to take ownership of digital innovation in the legal sector.

The summit featured two panel discussions: the first, State of Legal Tech in Sierra Leone, moderated by Sorieba Daffae, included Augustine S.S. Marrah, Osman Jalloh Esq., Madam Salwa Campbell and Mohamed Wurie Bah. The second: Policy and Regulatory Framework for Legal Tech moderated by Mohamed Wurie, featuring SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara, Lawyers Society President Augustine S.S. Marrah, Madam Salwa Campbell, and keynote speaker Edgar Kuhimbisa. Both panels provided valuable insights, highlighting current challenges and regulatory opportunities in legal technology adoption.

A showcase of legal tech hubs also took place, with institutions such as ILRAJ, Law Hub, and SierraLii presenting their innovative solutions and strategies for modernizing legal practice in Sierra Leone.

In his closing remarks, Lawyers Society President Augustine S.S. Marrah emphasized that the summit marked the beginning of a long-term journey toward digital transformation. He noted the importance of introducing young lawyers to technology early in their careers and encouraged continuous learning and adoption of digital tools. Marrah concluded that AI would amplify, rather than replace human work, ultimately enhancing the delivery of justice across the country.