THE ROLE AND IMPACT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON EFFECTIVE
LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Information
Technology (IT) is the branch of engineering that deals with the use of
computers and telecommunications to retrieve and store and transmit information.
Due to the
emergence of the 21st century, many packages have been developed to
assist people (including legal practitioners) to make use of Information Technology
(in order to reduce work load in their respective office.
The use of
computer to type documents as really helped to reduce the burden of writing
with pen and note pad. A good example is that for sake of readability, a typed
work that is printed from a computer is easily read unlike what is written with
a pen and pad since handwritings varies.
There are
several packages mostly called software which are written programs, procedures
or rules and associated documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system
and that are stored in read or write memory. For example, the Nigerian Law
School E-handbook, which is a result of Information Technology.
Also, rather
than sending mails through postal services which might end up being delayed or
misplaced in transit, there is what is known as e-mail which enables legal
practitioners to attach, compose, reply and send documents within seconds no
matter the distance.
There is also
internet system which gives a legal practitioner almost all, if not all, he is
looking for by making use of search engines like google, yahoo, etc. The
internet system also makes it easier for a legal practitioner to register
organizations or partake in legal forums.
Most
organizations including Corporate Affairs Commission (C. A. C) has also
introduced e-registration which makes it easier for people to register from any
where rather than the old ways of going to their any of their branch offices.
USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN SOLICITOR’S
FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
A solicitor can
use a computer to record all his financial transactions. This is made possible
by the use of Microsoft Excel or tables in Microsoft Word, etc.
THE USE OF ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE
The best accounting
software is known as Microsoft Excel. This enables an easy way of calculation,
sorting and good enough, charts can be drafted on Microsoft excel.
BOOK KEEPING AND ACCOUNTS THROUGH THE USE
OF COMPUTER BY SOLICITOR
A solicitor can
also record his business transactions in a computer. This is possible through
the use of business software package of
programs to enable the books to be kept by computer.
A business
software package is one of a wide range of software programs sold in packages
to enable computers to be used for variety of business uses. They range in
complexity and expense from those needed to operate a PC to the suite of
programs required by a mainframe. A typical package would include one or more
of book-keeping programs which provide facilities for keeping sales, purchase,
and nominal ledgers; accounting packages, enabling balance sheets, budgetary
control, and sale and purchase analysis to be undertaken automatically, payroll
packages, dealing with wages, salaries, PAYE, National Insurance, pensions,
etc.
USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN A LAW
LIBRARY
This is better
because when articles are saved in the computer, they will forever be there as
long as there is a back-up storage unlike when articles are on book shelves
which has the likelihood of missing or getting torn. Other sites can also be
visited be it international or local sites.
THE MEANING OF E-LIBRARY OR VIRTUAL LIBRARY
E-library is
also the same as electronic library. It means the use of the library online.
THE USEFULNESS OF E-LIBRARY OR VIRTUAL
LIBRARY TO LEGAL RESEARCH
It is used for
legal research on the internet. It is also quicker and easier to use because of
its short cut like “search” which will help a legal practitioner to search for
a book or article faster online without going through stress.
USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR EFFECTIVE
CASE MANAGEMENT
This is the use
of note taker which aids judges in
writing their judgments in a way that it will convert their hand written notes
to a typed text on the note taker.
There is also automated sound recording system which
aids a court to record all proceedings.
ADVANTAGES OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
1.
It is easier to use if trained.
2.
It is faster.
3.
It is stress free.
4.
It saves time.
5.
It is convenient.
DISADVANTAGES OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
1.
It is expensive.
2.
It creates unemployment.
3.
In Nigeria, it is disadvantageous to those that
are not computer literate.
4.
Data lost cannot be retrieved most times, especially
when stored in a flash.
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