Technology
Algorithmic-based decision-making is “risk to justice”
The head of the Criminal Bar Association has outlined her “grave concerns” about algorithmic technology that is being used in the justice system without adequate regulation.
Digital assets “are property” under English law
Blockchain and smart contracts were given a major boost yesterday, when the expert panel charged with giving the technology legal certainty declared they should be treated in principal as property.
Supreme Court judge calls for independent algorithm regulator
A Supreme Court justice has called for the creation of an expert commission to act as “a sort of independent regulator” of algorithms, staffed by coding technicians, with lawyers and ethicists.
Top judge tells business lawyers: Get ready for the future
The Chancellor of the High Court has urged commercial lawyers to prepare for the disruptive impact of technology on the law, the legal system and legal profession before others “steal a march” on them.
Susskind calls for global online court revolution
Professor Richard Susskind has called for the development of a “standard, adaptable, global platform for online courts” that can be rolled out to fortify access to justice around the world.
Law firms’ “shocking” vulnerability to cyber criminals
The vast majority of major law firms still have significant unaddressed cyber-risk, despite repeated urging by regulators, insurers and others to shore up their defences, according to new research.
Niche ABS takes on external funding and non-lawyers
A niche alternative business structure working with companies that build the global infrastructure of technology has used it to take on external funding and non-lawyers who can help the business grow.
Court reforms may not be completed in time, PAC warns
The government’s court modernisation programme may not be completed by the deadline of 2023, the House of Commons public accounts committee has warned.
Lawtech sector given public funding boost
The Ministry of Justice has injected £2m into boosting the development of lawtech via a government-funded network that backs tech start-ups.
MPs sound access to justice alarm over court reform
Enhancing access to justice appears to be ancillary to the court modernisation programme rather than its central goal, MPs warned yesterday.
Blog
Fifteen years on: Lessons from ABS reform
Fifteen years ago this month saw the very first alternative business structure. At the time, the prospect of non-lawyers owning law firms was dubbed ‘Tesco Law’.
Hybrid working and client money controls – be aware of the risks
For legal finance teams, remote working has changed how information moves, how approvals are obtained and how colleagues communicate.
AI can interrogate your contracts – but are they ready for questioning?
Suppose a law firm wants to review a client’s entire real estate portfolio for risk in the leases. Not long ago, that meant a multi-week project. Today, first-pass answer can arrive in minutes.
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