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NLJ this week: AI & crypto-wallet freezing

24 May 2024
Issue: 8072 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Artificial intelligence , Technology , Crypto , Cyber , Cybercrime
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There’s a double bill of tech in this week’s NLJ. Ian McDougall, EVP & general counsel, LexisNexis Legal & Professional, sets out what lawyers need to know about artificial intelligence (AI). Nick Barnard, partner, Corker Binning, reports on new legislative tools being used by enforcement agencies to seize, freeze or destroy cryptoassets

McDougall explains what AI is, how it works, the difference between extractive and generative AI, and why lawyers should embrace closed AI models. From the Turing Test to large language models, his engaging, easy-to-understand article cuts through the hype. He writes: ‘It is not on a quest for truth and morality… It uses statistical analysis to predict the next most sequentially probable word and then produce it.’

Barnard looks at recent amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 that introduce crypto-wallet freezing orders and crypto-wallet forfeiture orders. Criminals love cryptoassets due to the fact they’re easy to hide and difficult to trace. Barnard explains why he thinks judges and magistrates are unlikely to refuse applications for the new freezing and forfeiture orders. He offers tips on how to advise clients who are on the receiving end of such orders.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

National Pro Bono Centre—Esther McConnell & Sarah Oliver Scemla

National Pro Bono Centre—Esther McConnell & Sarah Oliver Scemla

Charity strengthens leadership as national Pro Bono Week takes place

Michelman Robinson—Akshay Sewlikar

Michelman Robinson—Akshay Sewlikar

Dual-qualified partner joins London disputes practice

McDermott Will & Schulte—Karen Butler

McDermott Will & Schulte—Karen Butler

Transactions practice welcomes partner in London office

NEWS
NLJ columnist Stephen Gold dives into the quirks of civil practice, from the Court of Appeal’s fierce defence of form N510 to fresh reminders about compliance and interest claims, in this week's Civil Way
Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys [2025] EWHC 2341 (KB) has restated a fundamental truth, writes John Gould, chair of Russell-Cooke, in this week's NLJ: only authorised persons can conduct litigation. The decision sparked alarm, but Gould stresses it merely confirms the Legal Services Act 2007
The government’s decision to make the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) the Single Professional Services Supervisor marks a watershed in the UK’s fight against money laundering, says Rebecca Hughes of Corker Binning in this week's NLJ. The FCA will now oversee 60,000 firms across legal and accountancy sectors—a massive expansion of remit that raises questions over resources and readiness 
The High Court's decision in Parfitt v Jones [2025] EWHC 1552 (Ch) provided a striking reminder of the need to instruct the right expert in retrospective capacity assessments, says Ann Stanyer of Wedlake Bell in NLJ this week
Paige Coulter of Quinn Emanuel reports on the UK’s first statutory definition of SLAPPs under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023in NLJ this week
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