On February 1, 2025, De Rebus, the Law Society of South Africa’s regular magazine, published an article by Haroon Aziz detailing progress toward an AI policy for South Africa and urging stronger Global South engagement in AI governance. The article highlights the ‘South Africa National Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework,’ released in August 2024 by the…
Artificial intelligence requires greater attention from the legal sector, International Bar Association Future of Legal Services Commission report reveals
The second annual report from the International Bar Association’s (IBA) Future of Legal Services Commission (FLSC) warns that lawyers are treating AI as a future issue rather than an immediate priority, risking unpreparedness for its rapid impact on the legal sector. The 2024 Future of Legal Services – White Paper highlights the profession’s lack of…
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…
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…
Enhanced productivity for law firms in Singapore with the integration of microsoft copilot into the legal technology platform
On 11 September 2024, the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) in Singapore, in collaboration with technology providers Lupl and Microsoft, has launched the ‘Copilot for SG Law Firms’ module, integrating Microsoft 365 Copilot into the Legal Technology Platform (LTP)[1]. This innovation positions the Ministry of Law’s LTP as one of the first sector-specific legal technology solutions…
Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner statement on the use of AI in Australian legal practice
The Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner (VLSBC), alongside other legal bodies in Australia, has issued a new statement on 6 December 2024 on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal practice, outlining critical guidelines to ensure the ethical and professional application of AI tools. This statement highlights the evolving role of AI in…
ICLR 2024 conference in-depth report – part 2
This second of two special editions of ICLR news reports on some of the breakout sessions that took place at the last ICLR conference held in Melbourne between 16-18 October 2024. We also round up some of the other news and events that might be of interest to the ICLR community. Also see the first…
Group of 7 Bars and Law Societies Statements on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) has endorsed a significant international declaration, the “G7 Bars’ Statement on Artificial Intelligence (AI),” which was officially supported by bar associations and law societies across the G7 countries, including the USA, Germany, Canada, France, Italy, the EU, the UK, and Japan. This statement, formalized on March 21, 2024,…