The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has encouraged librarians within the judiciary to adopt the use of Artificial Intelligence and digital tools to enhance legal research and keep their records up to date.
Justice Kekere-Ekun made the call on Monday at the opening ceremony of the Biennial National Workshop for Judicial Librarians and Library Officers, held at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja.
She noted that judicial libraries and their custodians played an indispensable role in the administration of justice.
Justice Kekere-Ekun added that the ongoing digital transformation demanded a corresponding evolution in judicial libraries, adding that hybrid systems that combined traditional print materials with digital platforms had become the new standard.
“The incorporation of artificial intelligence, cloud-based databases, blockchain technology, and assisted legal research tools has revolutionised the way legal information is processed and utilised,” she said.
Emphasising that judicial libraries are more than mere repositories of books and documents, the CJN described them as the intellectual nerve centres of the courts, the very backbone of legal research, ensuring that judicial reasoning is well-informed by statute, precedent, legal commentary, and emerging legal trends.
She further stated that while the collective commitment of the judiciary was to enhance legal research continuously, it was the duty of librarians to manage knowledge and ensure access to credible legal information.
“In today’s era, defined by rapid technological innovation, the role of judicial libraries has become even more crucial.
“The strength and credibility of judicial decisions are firmly anchored in sound legal research, robust jurisprudential foundations, and the timely availability of accurate legal information,” she said.
According to her, a well-managed judicial library enables judges, magistrates, legal scholars, and judicial officers to access relevant and up-to-date resources in a dynamic legal landscape, where laws are evolving and jurisprudence continually refined.
“The integrity and consistency of our judicial decisions depend significantly on the quality of research support available,” the CJN stated.
“Judicial librarians and library officers do not merely organise materials; they serve as stewards of legal knowledge by curating, classifying, and maintaining both print and digital resources.
“They empower judicial officers to interpret and apply the law accurately and effectively.”
“As knowledge managers, their role has expanded to include the digitisation of legal resources and the integration of technological tools into library services.”
The CJN, however, cautioned that while the innovations offered vast potential, they also presented new challenges.
“Therefore, it is imperative for judicial libraries to upgrade their technological infrastructure, invest in digital content, and enhance the capacity of library officers to navigate and deploy modern research tools effectively.”
“This includes building competencies in digital literacy, cybersecurity, and the use of AI-enabled legal research platforms that can streamline processes, identify relevant authorities, and support sound judicial reasoning.”
“The strength of any judiciary lies in the quality of its legal reasoning, which, in turn, is underpinned by the quality of legal research.”
“Judicial librarians and library officers, as custodians of legal knowledge, must be resolute in upholding standards of excellence, accuracy, and reliability in their service delivery,” she said.
Justice Kekere-Ekun also emphasised the need for judicial librarians to uphold high ethical standards, stating, “Judicial libraries must uphold the core values of confidentiality, impartiality, integrity, and accuracy.”
She stressed that legal information must not be distorted, and library services must remain unbiased, ensuring judicial officers receive credible and comprehensive materials upon which to base their decisions.
The Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Salisu Abdullahi, noted that the workshop was not just another event on the institute’s calendar but a reaffirmation of a shared commitment to strengthening the foundation of justice through knowledge.
He said the workshop aimed to foster collaboration, innovation, and excellence among judicial library professionals, ensuring they were well-prepared to support the research and information needs of the judiciary.
“A judicial library stands as a silent but ever-present custodian of legal wisdom; the pillar upon which sound jurisprudence is built, and the bridge that connects the past, present, and future of legal thought,” he stated.
He added, “It is here that the rich heritage of legal principles is preserved, where judges and legal practitioners find the resources to render decisions that shape society, and where the ever-evolving demands of justice meet the unyielding pursuit of knowledge.”
Justice Abdullahi emphasised that it was imperative for judicial libraries — and the dedicated staff who manage them — to evolve to meet the growing expectations of the legal community.
