Since the German Legal Tech Act came into force in October 2021, allowing lawyers to charge success-based fees and cover clients’ legal costs in certain cases, these opportunities have been rarely used. A recent survey conducted by the Federal Bar Association (BRAK) as part of the law’s three-year evaluation found that most lawyers have not…
Statement on the use of artificial intelligence in Australian legal practice
The Law Society of New South Wales, the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia, and the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner have issued a statement on the use of AI in Australian legal practice, setting clear expectations for lawyers integrating AI tools into their work. Fiona McLeay, CEO and Commissioner, emphasized that while AI…
How artificial intelligence is transforming the legal profession
Thomson Reuters has published its 2024 Future of Professionals Report, offering a comprehensive analysis of how AI is reshaping the legal profession. This global study surveyed 2,200 senior professionals across 50 countries, spanning legal, tax, accountancy, and other professional services. The findings reveal a growing, yet cautious, acceptance of AI within the legal sector. While…
Senior England and Wales judge urges legal professionals to embrace AI
Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls, the most senior Civil judge in England and Wales, delivered a speech at the LawtechUK Generative AI Event held in London on 5 February 2025. He urged legal professionals to embrace AI rather than resist its integration, emphasizing that AI is already transforming industries worldwide, and the…
Singapore passes legal amendments to combat “lawfare”
New measures to prevent the abuse of Singapore’s court processes through excessive or egregious litigation (“lawfare”) have been enacted through amendments to the Administration of Justice (Protection) Act (AOJPA), which came into force on 28 January 2025. The amendments explicitly define contempt of court to include knowingly deceiving the court, filing baseless claims, and initiating…
Legal regulation amendments must remove political control of lawyers
The Law Society of Scotland has urged that new amendments to the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill, lodged in the Scottish Parliament, must fulfill the government’s promise to remove political control over the legal profession. The Bill, originally introduced in April 2023, proposed sweeping new powers that would allow the Scottish Government to directly…
Legal organisation pen letters to Law Society of Ontario criticizing proposed governance reforms
Organizations representing lawyers in Ontario have submitted letters to the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) opposing proposed governance reforms that they argue will dilute regional representation, hinder knowledge transfer among benchers, and undermine the democratic process. The Federation of Ontario Law Associations (FOLA) and the Toronto Lawyers’ Association (TLA) submitted their concerns by the January…
World Justice Project marks 15 years of advancing the rule of law
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the World Justice Project (WJP) continues its mission to strengthen the rule of law globally. Since 2009, it has documented the impact of legal frameworks on justice, opportunity, and peace while spearheading policy reforms and research initiatives to address the ongoing decline in the rule of law worldwide. The 2024 WJP…
Launch of the International Bar Association’s 50:50 by 2030 interim report on gender representation in the legal profession
On 3 December 2024, the International Bar Association (IBA), in collaboration with the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation, launched its Interim Report on the 50:50 by 2030 – gender disparity in the law project. The event brought together senior and emerging female leaders to discuss gender representation at the highest levels of the legal profession….
Korean national assembly passes the AI basic act
In December 2024, South Korea’s National Assembly passed the AI Basic Act, introducing a comprehensive regulatory framework for artificial intelligence. South Korea now becomes the second jurisdiction after the EU to enact such legislation. Key Provisions of the AI Basic Act AI Industry Development: The Minister of Science and ICT must create a national AI…