Sabinet’s acclaimed National Legislation service, NetLaw, has been a trusted resource for accessing South African legislation since its launch in 2003. Over the years, it has consistently provided new national legislation, timely and precise updates as well as credible and timeous consolidated Acts, Rules and Regulations. This empowers individuals, businesses, and organisations to stay up to date in their compliance with South Africa’s evolving legal landscape.  

Now, Sabinet is elevating this service to the next level by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with the launch of the NetLaw AI Research Assistant. 

“We are excited to introduce the NetLaw AI Research Assistant—an advanced AI chat and retrieval tool that transforms how subscribers explore and engage with South African legislation,” says Sabinet Head of Product, Sanet Vos. “This innovative feature streamlines the research process, offering a modern alternative to kickstart your research journey and explore the credible and accurate South African legislative content available via Sabinet’s National Legislation service.” 

At its core, the AI Research Assistant functions as a dynamic companion for legal research. It allows users to ask questions to kick off their research, such as “Which law contains the basic employment conditions?” and the Research Assistant then provides precise answers, along with suggestions for relevant documents, significantly reducing the time spent manually sifting through sources.  

NetLaw will continue to provide timely and precise updates on new legislation and amendments to existing acts, rules and regulations. Weekly newsletters also include the latest legislative changes, making it easy for legal professionals, researchers, and organisations to stay informed. Whether you’re seeking updated content or comprehensive legal resources, Sabinet National Legislation (NetLaw) remains your ultimate companion for navigating South African legislation.

Efficiency meets innovation 

“The AI Research Assistant is not only an alternative for exploring legislation, but also an intuitive solution for novice users and those new to AI functionality,” adds Vos. “For those unfamiliar with legal research, the AI offers a solid starting point, simplifying legislative navigation. Meanwhile, advanced users can  integrate the AI assistant into existing research methods, using it to refine searches and uncover additional information.” 

The introduction of AI to NetLaw enhances the already robust features of the service. By combining timely updates, an easy-to-use search interface, and AI-powered assistance, Sabinet is redefining how legal research is conducted in a constantly shifting legal landscape. 

Available to all NetLaw subscribers 

Starting 1 October 2024, Sabinet’s NetLaw AI Research Assistant will be available to all  NetLaw subscribers. By introducing the AI Research Assistant, Sabinet is not only improving access to legislative information but fundamentally transforming how some users will interact with the law. In a world where efficiency and accuracy are paramount, this innovative feature empowers users to navigate complex legislation with ease and confidence.  

As a custodian of invaluable legal information for over 30 years, Sabinet has established itself as a trusted supplier of national legislation—now powered by the future of AI technology. 

NetLaw will continue to provide timely and precise updates on new legislation and amendments to existing acts, rules and regulations. Weekly newsletters also include the latest legislative changes, making it easy for legal professionals, researchers, and organisations to stay informed. Whether you’re seeking updated content or comprehensive legal resources, Sabinet National Legislation (NetLaw) remains your ultimate companion for navigating South African legislation. 

Contact us today to find out more.