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Access to justice: tech to the rescue?

12 July 2023
Issue: 8033 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Technology
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Lawyers have been asked for their views on the Legal Service Board’s (LSB’s) draft statutory guidance on promoting technology and innovation to improve access to legal services

The LSB estimates about 3.6 million individuals have an unmet legal need in England and Wales annually. It suggests greater use of tech could help resolve this unmet need.

Its draft guidance for regulators aims to promote greater access for consumers to a broader range of legal services, greater openness to technology providers and innovators, and improved access to justice.

Research by the LSB and Lawtech UK found three-quarters of small businesses would be interested in using lawtech solutions for their business needs.

Matthew Hill, LSB CEO, said: ‘Technology and innovation could dramatically enhance access to legal services for the millions of people and small businesses who need them.’

The LSB consultation, launched last week, ends on 2 October and can be viewed here.

Issue: 8033 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Technology
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
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