Knowledge-Based System for Settling Tort Claims under the Ethiopian Law
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2010-01-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Knowledge-based systems play an important role in solving problems and supporting human
decision-making. The development of these systems begins with limited area of disciplines and
then extends to a large number of other fields such as finding molecular structure, locating oil
and mineral sites, medical diagnosis, computer system component selection etc.
This research deals with the development of a KBS as an alternative approach for handling tort
claims under the Ethiopian law. An extensive review of the ruling contemporary theories about
the nature of law and legal reasoning is made during the development process so as to get an
insight in the modeling of the expertise needed to tackle the problem. The required tacit
knowledge is collected through semi-structured interviews with domain experts. Moreover, the
review of statute books, case reports and journal articles are also analyzed to gather explicit
knowledge in the domain area. CommonKADS and decision tree modeling techniques are used
in the modeling of expertise. Rule-Based Reasoning (RBR) approach is adopted to represent the
necessary knowledge in the knowledge base of the system. The Knowledge base is developed
using SWI prolog which supports backward chaining to make inferences by reading the
composed rules in the knowledge base.
The testing of the prototype system is done first by using artificial test data and then a sample of
thirteen previously decided test cases is taken in law of torts to make comparisons on the
decision made by the system and human experts. Similar decisions passed in situation when all
sufficient conditions are given for the application and non-application of the rules. However, the
decision made by human experts differs in most cases. This is due to the fact that the decisions
are not only determined by written rules but also some extra-legal factors which have to do with
political, cultural, economic , and religious beliefs of the judges . It also influenced by the
personal and psychological characteristics of a judge.
Therefore, the development of a KBS that incorporates predictive capacity to predict judicial
decisions by taking precedents (or decided cases) and examining closely the personal attitudes of
the presiding judges towards political, cultural, economic, religious, and social factors are
demanding to make the system credible in the legal community.
Description
Keywords
Knowledge-Based, System, Settling Tort, Claims Under, Ethiopian, Law