In an article for the Colorado Technology Law Journal, candidate attorney Joely Williamson explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the legal profession—revolutionizing traditional practices, creating new opportunities, and raising urgent ethical and regulatory concerns. AI is increasingly used for document review, legal research, contract drafting, and predictive analytics. Generative AI (GenAI) tools like Lexis+…
Asylum services review highlights general good practice and areas for improvement
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published a thematic review of 25 legal firms in England and Wales providing asylum services, following up on its 2022 immigration thematic review. The review assessed how these firms handle daily asylum support, supervision, and training, aiming to highlight best practices across the sector. Key findings indicated that most…
Lawyers say Alberta government’s failure to sign deal threatens legal aid services
Legal Aid Alberta has issued a statement in relation to the expiry of its governance and funding agreement with the Government of Alberta on June 30 and the consequences of this for its stakeholders. Legal Aid Alberta, a non-profit organisation, has traditionally received funding through a governance agreement that involves the federal government, the provincial…
A manifesto for the judicial and legal system in Europe
On 9 June, all 27 members of the European Union held elections for the European Parliament. The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) issued its own manifesto prior to the elections which called on the Parliament to play its part in demanding adequate resources for the judicial system and a well-resourced legal…
The Dutch Government has moved to strengthen access to legal advice in criminal cases
The Dutch Government aims to enhance access to free legal assistance in criminal cases by introducing new regulations, requiring suspects to receive information from a lawyer about consequences before waiving their right to consultation assistance, a move supported by the Netherlands Bar Association (NOvA). This legislation addresses concerns where suspects could previously waive legal assistance…
New report highlights the need for an increase in legal aid funding in Australia
A new report commissioned by National Legal Aid (NLA) entitled “Impact Economics Justice on the Brink” highlights the urgent need for increased funding for legal assistance services in Australia. The report emphasizes that current under-resourcing of legal aid services creates a significant justice gap, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged Australians. Law Council of Australia President Luke Murphy…
The Ministry of Law, Singapore, has introduced the Public Defenders Bill which will establish a Public Defenders Office
The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) introduced the Public Defenders Bill for First Reading in Parliament today. The Bill, when enacted, will provide for the establishment of the Public Defender’s Office as a department under MinLaw to administer criminal legal aid. The bill provides for the appointment of a Chief Public Defender and outlines the scope…
New vision for a legal aid system in The Netherlands
NovA, the Dutch Bar, alongside the Mediators Federation of the Netherlands (MfN) and the Council for Legal Aid (RvR) outlined their vision for a new legal aid system. The three organisations are working together for a people-oriented, effective and efficient system. The new system would be one in which the citizen and his or her (legal)…
The legal Aid Board in the Netherlands is to begin a subsidy scheme experiment for divorce cases
The legal Aid Board in the Netherlands will begin a subsidy scheme experiment for complex divorce cases. The scheme will begin in February 2022 with the aim of uncovering how best to assist litigants in complex divorce cases, with a view to providing high quality legal aid assistance after an appropriate fee has been agreed….
New Zealand sees first pro-bono legal portal open
The New Zealand Ministry of Justice has funded NZ’s first pro-bono portal, connecting lawyers with people in need of legal assistance. Te Ara Ture is New Zealand’s first pro-bono legal service aimed at helping Kiwi’s who cannot normally afford to enlist the help of legal professionals. The software takes referrals from the community and through…