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NLJ this week: The relentless creep of algorithmic discrimination

03 May 2024
Issue: 8069 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Artificial intelligence , Technology , Bias , Human rights
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Algorithmic discrimination is on the rise and it’s a serious problem, writes Dr Sebastian Smart in this week’s NLJ. It’s a fascinating insight into a global phenomenon

Smart argues that we need to work towards cross-jurisdictional solutions such as universally accepted definitions and frameworks.

Smart, a research fellow at Anglia Ruskin University’s Centre for Access to Justice and Inclusion, explains how algorithmic discrimination can occur, what damage it can cause, and how different jurisdictions across the world have widely differing approaches to regulation.

He notes that the ‘Post Office Horizon scandal has highlighted the extensive damage that can occur when technology is misapplied’. Yet ‘cases of bias and disparity arising from algorithmic decision-making’ are increasingly frequent. Smart writes: ‘These processes often rely on complex algorithms found in systems that impact aspects of our lives, ranging from social media algorithms to credit scoring methods, job recruitment procedures and even law enforcement practices.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Charles Russell Speechlys—Gustina Singgih

Charles Russell Speechlys—Gustina Singgih

Corporate team in London welcomes new partner

Church Court Chambers—Maria Karaiskos KC

Church Court Chambers—Maria Karaiskos KC

Historic appointment of chambers' first female head

Wright Hassall—five promotions

Wright Hassall—five promotions

Firm announces five promotions, including new partner

NEWS
The Supreme Court issued a landmark judgment in July that overturned the convictions of Tom Hayes and Carlo Palombo, once poster boys of the Libor and Euribor scandal. In NLJ this week, Neil Swift of Peters & Peters considers what the ruling means for financial law enforcement
Charlie Mercer and Astrid Gillam of Stewarts crunch the numbers on civil fraud claims in the English courts, in this week's NLJ. New data shows civil fraud claims rising steadily since 2014, with the King’s Bench Division overtaking the Commercial Court as the forum of choice for lower-value disputes
Bea Rossetto of the National Pro Bono Centre makes the case for ‘General Practice Pro Bono’—using core legal skills to deliver life-changing support, without the need for niche expertise—in this week's NLJ
Writing in NLJ this week, Victoria Rylatt and Robyn Laye of Anthony Gold Solicitors examine recent international relocation cases where allegations of domestic abuse shaped outcomes
Small law firms want to embrace technology but feel lost in a maze of jargon, costs and compliance fears, writes Aisling O’Connell of the Solicitors Regulation Authority in this week's NLJ
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