The Legal Services Board (LSB) has initiated a consultation on its draft business plan and budget for 2024/25, aiming to enhance regulation’s role in shaping a legal services market aligned with societal needs. The plan focuses on strengthening direct oversight of regulators, ensuring their effective performance and resilience in conducting regulatory reviews. Anticipating resource demands,…
New legal tools required to mitigate the risk posed by AI
Jason Matheny, who served as President and CEO of RAND Corporation, asserted that the swift progression of artificial intelligence (AI) hastened global existential risks. During a keynote address at the 33rd Annual Review of the Field of National Security Law conference, Matheny underscored the democratization of perilous capabilities, citing the potential for a single individual…
Solicitors Regulation Authority report looks at the risks and opportunities of AI in the law
A recently published report in the Risk Outlook series sheds light on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) within the legal services sector. The document underscores potential opportunities, such as the streamlining of administrative tasks through AI, enabling firms to allocate resources more efficiently for intricate assignments. Automation, in this context, offers cost reduction…
Law Society of Ontario hosts 8th annual access-to-justice week
The eighth annual Access to Justice Week (A2J Week) in Ontario, held from October 23 to 27, marked the “10th anniversary of Canada’s Justice Development Goals.” The event showcased over 30 virtual and in-person programs, attracting more than 3000 participants nationwide. Focused on reviewing a decade of progress and setting goals for the future, the…
Illinois Supreme Court to hold public hearing on proposed rule amendments
The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee is set to conduct a public hearing on November 15, where feedback on five proposals will be sought. The hearing will encompass proposed amendments to Rule 8.4, addressing attorney misconduct, and Rule 794, outlining the 6-hour professional responsibility MCLE requirement. For those interested in providing comments on the proposals,…
New trainee numbers remain near record high in Scotland
The recruitment of solicitor trainees in Scotland has sustained strong momentum for the third consecutive year, with 765 new traineeships initiated in the past 12 months. Although slightly below the previous year’s record of 788 trainees, this figure is notably higher than the pre-2020 levels, where the number of new traineeships had never surpassed 700…
Oregon introduces new pathway for attorney licensing
Oregon has become the first U.S. state to offer an alternative pathway for attorney licensing, allowing law school graduates to become licensed lawyers without the traditional bar exam or graduating from an in-state law school. The new pathway, called the Supervised Practice Portfolio Examination, requires graduates to complete 675 hours of legal work under the…
Law society of Saskatchewan begins beta use of AI for case law summaries
The Law Society of Saskatchewan in partnership with Lexum has introduced AI-powered case law summaries on CanLII, the Canadian Legal Information Institute, for recent decisions from Saskatchewan. This initiative aims to enhance the accessibility of Saskatchewan case law by providing quick access to crucial case points. The integration of AI-powered summaries brings benefits such as…
The Bar Standards Board of England and Wales discusses the use of ChatGPT in court
The Bar Standards Board of England and Wales has discussed the use of ChatGPT in court in a new blog. AI and advanced digital technologies are changing legal practice, with firms implementing digital transformation opportunities and barristers engaging in virtual consultations and hearings. The Legal Services Board, the oversight regulator, promotes technology and innovation to…
Can AI be harnessed to aid lawyer development?
Mentoring relationships are important for the professional development of lawyers, but they are often not prioritized in today’s fast-paced legal profession. Generative artificial intelligence can transform mentoring relationships for lawyers and professionals across various industries. Generative AI can provide personalized learning experiences tailored to the needs of each mentee, based on their background, skills, and…