Brett McGrath, President of the Law Society of New South Wales (NSW), emphasized the importance of not “reinventing the wheel” in the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) during his address to a NSW Upper House Inquiry into AI. McGrath advocated for the NSW government to consider both domestic and international efforts in AI regulation, suggesting…
Victorian Legal Services Board 2024 Risk Outlook
The Victorian Legal Services Board’s (VLSB) “2024 Risk Outlook” outlines the major risks facing Victoria’s legal sector in 2024. Cybersecurity remains a critical concern, as the Board has noted the growth of cyber attacks over the past year. Law practices are urged to implement robust security measures like multi-factor authentication and regular software updates whilst…
IBA African Regional Forum releases a new guide on data protection and privacy laws for the legal profession
The International Bar Association (IBA) African Regional Forum has released a new Data Protection/Privacy Guide for Lawyers in Africa, in recognition of growing requirements for safeguarding of personal data in accordance with legal principles across the continent. The guide was developed in the context of the European Union’s data protection law, the General Data Protection…
Law Society of Scotland survey finds support for increased use of remote civil hearings
A newly released survey of Scottish solicitors, by the Law Society of Scotland, has found that more than three-quarters of respondent think that aspects of remote civil court work should continue post-pandemic. The results found that the majority of civil court practitioners have indicated that they think remote hearings work well for procedural and uncontentious…
Nigeria Bar Association launches survey on technology and globalisation
Following the creation of the Future of Legal Practice Committee, by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which was recently established with a mandate of facilitating significant improvement in the quality and standard of legal services rendered by legal practitioners. The NBA has now launched a survey of all its members collating the views of both…
Lawyer Ethics for Innovation
Abstract Law struggles to keep pace with innovation. Twenty-first century advancements like artificial intelligence, block chain, and data analytics are already in use by academic institutions, corporations, government entities, health care providers, and others but many questions remain about individual autonomy, identity, privacy, and security. Even as new laws address known threats, future technology developments…
Legal Services Board of England and Wales releases new report on how regulation can foster innovation
On the 20th of April, the Legal Services Board (LSB) released a report outlining what legal services can do to support the safe development of technology and innovation, whilst also acting in the public interest. The report outlines steps regulators can take to create an environment that ‘de-risks’ innovation and reduces uncertainty for tech providers…
New research project on innovation and the use of technology in the legal sector in England and Wales launched by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
The Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales (SRA) is launching a piece of independent research into the use of technology and innovation in the legal sector, and how this may develop in the future. The research is being carried out by a research team at the University of Oxford including Professors Mari Sako and…
Law Society of Ontario approves new regulatory sandbox
On April 22, 2021, the Convocation of the Law Society of Ontario approved the Technology Task Force’s “Regulatory Sandbox for Innovative Technological Legal Services” Report. As a result, a five-year pilot project will be launched in Q4 of 2021. In the pilot approved participants will be granted express permission by the Law Society to serve…
American Bar Association issues new guidance on remote working and ethical use of technology
The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility has released a formal opinion cataloguing the relevant model rules and technological considerations that lawyers should be aware of when practising virtually. The opinion (Formal Opinion 498) identifies some of the minimum requirements for virtual practice under the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct…