INVESTIGATING THE AWARENESS AND USE OF ELECTRONIC RESOURCES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP AMONG LEGAL PROFESSIONALS AT THE HIGH COURT OF AZAD JAMMU & KASHMIR

Abstract

This study examines the awareness and usage of electronic resources among legal practitioners at the High Court of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Data collected from 478 respondents highlights a strong reliance on digital tools, with many using electronic resources daily for legal research, case preparation and staying updated on recent legal developments. The majority of respondents were male (87.4%), with 68.6% falling within the 25-40 age range. A majority (65.48%) holds a Master's degree and 51.7% were enrolled in MS/M.Phil. programs. The primary purposes for using digital tools include accessing general and subject-related information, staying informed on current decisions from the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, preparing for cases and gathering evidence from similar cases. Legal practitioners also frequently use electronic resources to access national statutes, improve legal knowledge and stay updated on legislation and constitutional developments. Additionally, these resources are commonly used for writing petitions, appeals and revisions in civil, criminal and service litigations. The majority of respondents preferred electronic resources over printed materials, with many using the High Court library occasionally, while some never used it. A strong relationship was found between awareness and usage of electronic resources, although awareness of the full range of available tools remains moderate, particularly concerning advanced search techniques and specialized legal databases. The most preferred electronic resources were electronic newspapers, databases and bibliographic databases, with the HEC digital library and Summon being used more frequently than others. The findings suggest that enhancing access to and awareness of digital resources, as well as offering better training programs, could significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of legal practice in the region.