Increasing buzz around AI in the courtroom, A raft of new public procurement regulations in Uganda, and More on Namibia's Virtual Assets Act

Increasing buzz around AI in the courtroom

Tanzania's judiciary announced last month that it is introducing AI in the country's courtrooms to assist with transcriptions and translations. The system, developed together with an Italian company, is being trained in the various dialects of the Kishawili language spoken in the country as well as English alternatives.

Tanzania’s Chief Justice, Professor Ibrahim Juma, reportedly said the system will significantly reduce the work burden on judges and magistrates and address the practical challenges of staffing the country’s many courtrooms with stenographers fluent in various languages and dialects.

In South Africa, a judge was recently impressed by the quality of heads of argument written by a layperson applicant with the help of generative AI.

Mr Siyabulela Makunga sued Barlequins Beleggings t/a Indigo Spur for damages arising from a breach of contract. The judgment dealt with whether the claim had prescribed, but Acting Judge Michael Bishop also remarked on Makunga’s heads of argument, which he said he drafted himself with the help of Google.

“He filed heads of argument which contained extensive reference to case law,” Bishop said.

“I admit that I have seen worse heads of argument prepared by members of the Bar. […] It shows […] the fact that lawyers need to watch out for artificial intelligence. One day soon, the computers are coming for our jobs.”

There's no denying that artificial intelligence is changing the way law is practised. Are you ready?

Selected Articles

Uganda - ENS

A raft of new public procurement regulations in Uganda

A wave of fraud-related public procurement scandals has gripped the nation in recent years. Allegations of fake tenders and false representations by imposters have plagued the procurement cycle, becoming a frequent feature story in the news. The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority has issued several fraud alerts warning the public about fraudulent procurement deals. Continue reading

Nigeria - G. Elias

Review of the Oil and Gas Companies (Tax Incentives, Exemption, Remission, etc.) Order, 2024

On February 28, 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued the Oil and Gas Companies (Tax Incentives, Exemption, Remission, etc.) Order, 2024. The Order provides for certain fiscal incentives aimed at supporting companies within the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The incentives include tax credits to promote non-associated gas greenfield development, investment allowances to support gas utilization companies operating in the midstream oil and gas industry, and other proposed incentives specifically targeted at deep-water oil and gas projects. Continue reading?

Namibia - Bowmans

Namibia: The Virtual Assets Act 10 of 2023 – What should you know?

The Virtual Assets Act 10 of 2023 was brought into force on 25 July 2023. With the promulgation and coming into force of the VAA, many had the hope that the Act would shed some light on questions such as, may one legally own, possess or trade Bitcoin, what the rules for trading Bitcoin are, how crypto currency is regulated in Namibia and what the term ‘virtual assets’ actually means. Continue reading

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by Africa Risk Consulting (ARC)

Angola

Government says it is producing 1.1 million barrels of oil per day, similar to its level before it exited the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) last year, expecting to maintain this volume until 2027.

C?te d’Ivoire

The mines, petroleum and energy ministry denounces international oil firms for not complying with local content requirements.

?Senegal

Opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye is declared winner of the presidential election.

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