ICT Skills for Lawyers

Modern Digital Systems and ICT Skills: Fundamentals of ICT for Lawyers: History and development of computers, computer hardware and software (definitions, input/output devices, processors, memory, storage, data/information), networks and the Internet, operating systems (Windows, file management, MS DOS prompt basics); Microsoft Office Suite for Legal Practice and Open Source Equivalence: MS Word: Fundamentals, advanced features (formatting, tables of contents, macros, track changes, styles), legal document preparationMS Excel: Tools and concepts (formulas, templates, data sorting, graphs, smart sheets, data im; port/export, macros), data analysis for legal contexts (billing, case tracking); MS Access: Tools and concepts, database management for client records; PowerPoint: Basics of preparing presentations, format templates, motion, sound, courtroom visuals; Internet and Legal Research: Definition, brief history, URLs, search engines, advanced searching techniques, online legal research platforms (e.g. Kenya Law Reports, https://new.kenyalaw.org/), e-services for lawyers CTS, e-Cause-List (online case status checks), electronic filing, e-conveyancing in Kenya; Cybersecurity and Data Management for Lawyers: Cybersecurity awareness, secure communication practices, data encryption, secure file storage, anti-virus measures, recognizing suspicious emails and websites, protection of sensitive client information, Kenya's cybersecurity framework (Constitution of Kenya 2010, Kenya Information and Communication Act No.2 of 1998, Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act No. 5 of 2018, Data Protection Act No. 24 of 2019), data management principles (CIA. security, access, validation, privacy, redundancy, retention, core legislative regimes), strategic importance of information security and contractual arrangements; Legal Implications of Technology: Intellectual Property Rights: Copyright for computer programs, preparatory design material, databases; patent law concerning software inventions; design law protecting computer graphics and icons; trademark law in the digital space; Electronic Contracts and Torts: Formation of misstatement online; Information and Communications Technology Crime: Fraud, unauthorized access ("hacking"), damaging computer programs or data by viruses; Data Protection Law: General principles, distinction between privacy and data protection, rights and obligations of data controllers and subjects, lawfulness of processing, automated individual decision-making, Kenyan Data Protection Act 2019, global context of data protection, ethical dimension of ICT use and management; Pervasive Technologies in Law: AI, Cloud Computing, Blockchain Technology.

CONTRACTS LAW I

The nature and origin of contract law, sources of contract law, classification of Contracts, role played by contract law in trade and development, the elements of a contract, contents of a contract, standard form contracts, parties to contracts, doctrine of privacy of contract; unwritten and written terms; express and implied terms, proof of terms of contract, valid and void contracts; structure of contract law, common law and civil law approaches to contract law theory, current issues in contract law

Torts I

The history and development of the concept of tortious liability in England and other jurisdictions, definition of Tort , meaning and functions of the law of Torts, general characteristics of tortious liability, parties to a suit in tort and the persons immune from suit, standard of care expected of a defendant, liability; without proof where maxim res ipsa loquitor applies, it is clear, various types of Torts (negligence, Trespass, Defamation, nuisance, the elements of every specific Tort, their principles, and the relevant defenses (in negligence -contributory negligence, voluntary assumption of risk, statutory authority, Acts of God) and remedies available for breach of specific Tort, the capacity to sue in torts, Limitation of actions founded on Torts; and the law of torts in Kenya. 


CRIMINAL LAW