Artificial Intelligence: Interrogating the prospect of a robot lawyer to practice law in Nigeria

Globally, the advancement of technological innovations has impacted every aspect of human life including the justice system. One such innovation is the adoption of artificial intelligence and robot lawyers in the practice of law as seen in the case of Do Not Pay in the United States of America. Notably, a technological innovation that has recorded success in one country is more likely to be embraced in another country. Given how slowly artificial intelligence and robot lawyers are infiltrating the practice of law across the globe, this research, therefore, interrogated the prospects of robot lawyers to practice law in Nigeria. The research adopted a qualitative research methodology using the doctrinal method of legal research. The study found that artificial intelligence and robot lawyers are inevitable innovations in the practice of law across the globe including Nigeria. While artificial intelligence is generally acceptable as a welcome development, the involvement of robot lawyers in the practice of law has both legal and ethical considerations in Nigeria. The laws regulating legal practice in Nigeria do not recognise robot lawyers as persons licensed to practice law in Nigeria. The research concluded that artificial intelligence and robot lawyers could enhance legal practice given its potential but robot lawyers must be clothed with the status of personhood before they can practice law in Nigeria. It was therefore recommended that the laws regulating legal practice in Nigeria be adequately amended to accommodate and adapt to modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and robot lawyers in the practice of law.