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13 February 2021
Issue: 7921 / Categories: Legal News , Technology , Profession
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LawTech in the ‘Wild West’

Lawyers and regulators need to consult more with consumers about LawTech, the Association of Consumer Support Associations (ACSO) has urged

The non-profit, which represents civil justice claimants, published its report, Technology and Innovation, last week to coincide with the arrival of noted technology enthusiast Sir Geoffrey Vos QC as Master of the Rolls.

The report highlights that law firms and civil claims organisations will struggle to survive unless they invest in technology, and sets out a series of recommendations, including putting consumers at the heart of innovation, ensuring technology is ethically designed, promoting best practice for data security and learning lessons from InsurTech and FinTech.

For legal regulators, it asks them to provide clarity on liability regarding harm caused by a LawTech product, consider regulating unregulated service providers, and considering ways to regulate the use of AI to protect consumers.

ACSO executive director Matthew Maxwell Scott said LawTech ‘can increase efficiency, reduce costs and tackle the problem of incomplete or asymmetric consumer information’.

However, ‘Without clear guidelines and standards, there is a risk of creating a Wild West where anything goes. That may not be in the public interest.’

Issue: 7921 / Categories: Legal News , Technology , Profession
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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