A Solicitors Regulation Authority Report has found that unbundling legal services could make legal help more affordable for those on low incomes and increase the client base for law firms. Unbundling is a process where the tasks that make up a service are divided between the consumer and provider, allowing clients to carry out some…
AI and the courts: Will machine learning decision making ever replace judges?
Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice in England and Wales gave a recent speech on the possibility of AI replacing humans in decision making roles. He made a number of key points: * AI technology is unlikely to replace human beings in judicial decision-making in complex, personal cases….
MIT Computational Law Report: Generative AI for Law and Legal Processes
The MIT Computational Law Report has convened a task force to develop principles and guidelines for applying due diligence and legal assurance to Generative AI for law and legal processes. The purpose of this task force is to ensure factual accuracy, accurate sources, valid legal reasoning, alignment with professional ethics, due diligence, and responsible use…
“This Is Not Normal”: The Role of Lawyer Organizations in Protecting Constitutional Norms and Values
Lawyer organizations in the United States perform a range of functions. Some are essentially social clubs that provide networking opportunities for lawyers. Others help their members stay up to date on changes in the law and provide other educational and material benefits. Through these efforts, lawyer organizations often serve as a site where lawyers learn…
This Is Not Normal”: The Role of Lawyer Organizations in Protecting Constitutional Norms and Values
Lawyer organizations in the United States perform a range of functions. Some are essentially social clubs that provide networking opportunities for lawyers. Others help their members stay up to date on changes in the law and provide other educational and material benefits.1 Through these efforts, lawyer organizations often serve as a site where lawyers learn…
Are lawyer-lobbyists answerable to “a higher authority”? Bar association rules as lobbying regulation in the EU and the USA
This legal comparative article analyzes the regulatory framework of lobbying services provided by law firms in the European Union and the USA. The comparison of regulation between the jurisdictions focuses on three aspects: the definition of lobbying, the legal advice exception, and alignment with bar association rules. While the EU and the USA are largely…
The importance of caution when using AI
aiThis article discusses the use of large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT in the legal profession. These models have the potential to transform the legal industry, however, their integration into the legal profession comes with significant ethical considerations. These LLMs are good for general legal research and writing but there are significant issues around…
Why does ChatGPT matter for the legal industry?
The article discusses the use of ChatGPT, and large language models (LLM) in the legal industry. ChatGPT has a number of applications for lawyers such as legal writing, marketing and administrative work. Efficiency tools like ChatGPt can allow lawyers more time to focus on the legal aspects of their practice. However, ChatGPT is not yet…
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation has set up a new legal sector engagement forum
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, a division of HM Treasury UK, has set up a new legal sector engagement forum. The OFSI helps ensure financial sanctions are understood, implemented and enforced. The forum has been set up to enhance the direct engagement between the OFSI and the legal sector. The forum is an opportunity…
The Law Council of Australia issues response to the Attorney General Administrative Review Reform Issues Paper
In 2022 the Australian Government announced reform to Australia’s system of administrative review. The reform will abolish the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and establish a new federal administrative review body. The key points made by the Law Council in its response include: Accessibility, independence and impartiality must underpin all aspects of the new body. The…