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Time for a new legal personality?

11 August 2017
Issue: 7758 / Categories: Legal News
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It could be time for a new legal category of ‘electronic person’ to help the law get to grips with new technology—just as the ‘corporate person’ was created in days gone by. ‘At first glance, it seems far-fetched (as perhaps did 'corporate persons' 400 years ago),’ concede David Kidman, partner at DWF, and Stephen Turner, legal director at DAC Beachcroft, in this week’s NLJ.

However, smart technology, the ‘internet of things’ where devices communicate with each other, and the use of artificial intelligence makes liability difficult to establish. An 'electronic person' would be a simple focal point to sue.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC

NLJ career profile: Liz McGrath KC

A good book, a glass of chilled Albarino, and being creative for pleasure help Liz McGrath balance the rigours of complex bundles and being Head of Chambers

Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones

Burges Salmon—Matthew Hancock-Jones

Firm welcomes director in its financial services financial regulatory team

Gateley Legal—Sam Meiklejohn

Gateley Legal—Sam Meiklejohn

Partner appointment in firm’s equity capital markets team

NEWS

Walkers and runners will take in some of London’s finest views at the 16th annual charity event

Law school partners with charity to give free assistance to litigants in need

Could the Labour government usher in a new era for digital assets, ask Keith Oliver, head of international, and Amalia Neenan FitzGerald, associate, Peters & Peters, in this week’s NLJ

An extra bit is being added to case citations to show the pecking order of the judges concerned. Former district judge Stephen Gold has the details, in his ‘Civil way’ column in this week’s NLJ

The Labour government’s position on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is not yet clear

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