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01 August 2025
Issue: 8127 / Categories: Legal News , Company , Technology , Artificial intelligence , Governance , Risk management
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NLJ this week: Corporate law in the digital fast lane

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From virtual AGMs and e-signatures to AI-assisted governance, technology is streamlining business processes but also raising complex legal questions. Writing in NLJ this week, Piers Larbey and Izabella Brooks of Hunters Law LLP explore how digital transformation is reshaping corporate operations—and the legal frameworks that govern them

While legislation like the Companies Act 2006 and Electronic Communications Act 2000 supports many digital practices, gaps remain—particularly around AI use and directors’ duties. The authors warn that reliance on AI for decision-making may conflict with directors’ statutory obligations to exercise independent judgment and diligence.

They also highlight the evolving legal landscape, including reforms like the Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. As digital tools proliferate, companies must ensure their governance frameworks keep pace.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Partner joins commercial property team in Taunton office

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Londstanding London firm appoints new senior partner

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Commercial team in London welcomes technology specialist as partner

NEWS
What safeguards apply when trust corporations are appointed as deputy by the Court of Protection? 
Disputing parties are expected to take part in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), where this is suitable for their case. At what point, however, does refusing to participate cross the threshold of ‘unreasonable’ and attract adverse costs consequences?
When it comes to free legal advice, demand massively outweighs supply. 'Millions of people are excluded from access to justice as they don’t have anywhere to turn for free advice—or don’t know that they can ask for help,' Bhavini Bhatt, development director at the Access to Justice Foundation, writes in this week's NLJ
When an ex-couple is deciding who gets what in the divorce or civil partnership dissolution, when is it appropriate for a third party to intervene? David Burrows, NLJ columnist and solicitor advocate, considers this thorny issue in this week’s NLJ
NLJ's latest Charities Appeals Supplement has been published in this week’s issue
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