Digital Transformation of Legal Practice Discussed at ASU’s Institute of Law

A regional educational and methodological seminar titled “Digital Technologies in Legal Practice” was held at the Institute of Law of Adyghe State University. It was organized by the Institute and the Adyghe Regional Branch of the Azalia Dolgova Russian Criminological Association.

Digital technology has become an integral part of lawyers’ daily work. E-justice and electronic document management, specialized information systems used by investigative agencies, prosecutors, and legal professionals, and artificial intelligence applications are transforming not only workflows but also the skills required of legal practitioners.

Universities prepare future lawyers to work in this evolving environment. The seminar therefore aimed to discuss with law enforcement representatives the competencies today’s graduates need. This dialogue is essential to legal education: practitioners are often the first to identify gaps in young lawyers’ preparation, and collaboration helps address those gaps through timely curricular updates.

The seminar’s objectives was to examine how digital solutions are being used in the republic’s courts, investigative agencies, prosecutor’s office, justice agencies, and legal profession; discuss the risks and limitations of artificial intelligence; and consider how practical requirements can be incorporated into legal education. The seminar gained particular practical significance through the participation of senior representatives from the courts, law enforcement agencies, and other public institutions in the Republic of Adygea.

Rustam Shkhachemukov, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Social Affairs at ASU, and Azamat Pseush, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation and Strategic Development at ASU, welcomed the participants on behalf of the university. They noted that digital transformation affects the university itself and reaffirmed its commitment to preparing graduates to work confidently in the evolving digital environment.

In his opening remarks, Denis Katanandov, Chair of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Adygea, discussed the Concept for the Implementation of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Legal Proceedings, approved by Igor Krasnov, Chair of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. He also highlighted pilot projects aimed at testing new solutions in practice.

Vasily Larin, Major General of Justice and Head of the Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Adygea, noted that digital technologies are widely used in criminal investigations and help address investigative challenges efficiently. He added that further advances in information technology could strengthen efforts to combat crime.

Ali Mamiy, President of the Bar Association of the Republic of Adygea, discussed the digitalization of legal practice. He emphasized that new technologies should support lawyers in their core mission: protecting their clients’ rights and legitimate interests.

Azamat Udzhukhov, Acting Head of the Department of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Adygea, spoke about the use of digital services in justice institutions and the challenges the evolving digital environment poses for the department.

The organizers emphasize that the personal presence of law enforcement officials determined both the level and effectiveness of the discussion. The opportunity for direct professional dialogue with decision-makers who determine the work of the most important elements of the region's legal system allowed the discussion to move beyond theoretical assessments and formulate concrete guidelines for legal education.

The seminar moderated by Azamat Shadzhe ,Director of the ASU Institute of Law and Doctor of Law. In his welcoming remarks, he noted that technology accelerates information search and document preparation, but does not relieve lawyers of responsibility for their decisions.

The central presentation was by Zarema Beshukova, Chair of the Adygea Regional Branch of the Russian Criminological Association, Deputy Director for Research at the Institute of Law, and Doctor of Law, "Independent Thinking as the Foundation of Professional Sovereignty for Future Lawyers in the Context of Digitalization and the Introduction of Artificial Intelligence." She emphasized that artificial intelligence should be a support tool, not a substitute for legal thinking. The ability to critically evaluate information, verify the conclusions of digital systems, and independently formulate a legal position remains one of the key competencies of a lawyer.

Representatives from various departments shared their practical experience in implementing digital solutions. Yuri Bogus, Deputy Chairman of the Maykop City Court, spoke about current issues in electronic legal proceedings ; Mariet Nekhai and Sergey Ilyasov,  employees of the Takhtamukaysky District Court, spoke about the experience of electronic justice in the republic's courts; Bislan Chich, Senior Assistant to the Head of the Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Republic of Adygea and PhD in Law, presented digital technologies in the activities of the Investigative Committee of Russia; Anatoly Dronov, Prosecutor of the Department of Legal Statistics, Information Technology, and Information Protection of the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Adygea, spoke about the specifics of the digital transformation of prosecutorial bodies;  Rasita Shikova, Deputy Chair of the Qualification Commission of the Bar Association of the Republic of Adygea and member of the Public Chamber of the Republic of Adygea and PhD in Sociology, spoke about the development of the Integrated Information System of the Bar Association of Russia and electronic document management; and Andrei Bushuev, Assistant to the Head of the Department of the Ministry of Justice of Russia for the Republic of Adygea , and specialists Vladislav Shchepotyev and Artem Kudinov  presented their experience in implementing artificial intelligence-based applications in the activities of justice agencies .

A key outcome of the seminar was the consensus among representatives of the legal community that today’s graduates should be confident users of digital tools, capable of working with electronic evidence and information systems, and committed to professional ethics and data protection requirements. At the same time, independent thinking, a critical approach to information, and personal responsibility for legally significant decisions remain essential qualities.

These principles provide a basis for comparing training content with the profession’s practical requirements: what to emphasize in lectures and seminars, which skills to develop, and how to teach students to use digital tools without compromising independent judgment.

The seminar was particularly valuable for the students who attended. Hearing directly from leaders whose careers many aspire to provided important professional guidance. The lively discussion about the qualities expected of lawyers, professional responsibility, and changes in legal practice offered a more compelling illustration than any lecture of what graduates need to be prepared for today.

Following the meeting, participants highlighted the need to continue exchanging experience among agencies and to develop a unified approach to training legal professionals in the context of the digitalization of legal practice.