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29 November 2021
Issue: 7959 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Technology
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Smart contracts are legal & viable, Law Commission confirms

The Law Commission has confirmed that smart legal contracts can be accommodated by existing law, and there is no need for statutory law reform
While some incremental development of the common law may be required in some contexts, the current legal framework is sufficiently robust, the Commission concluded last week. To avoid any potential difficulties, however, it encouraged parties to include express terms such as clauses allocating risk in relation to the performance of the code, and setting out clearly the relationship between any natural language and coded components.

The Law Commission also published a short update paper on its work on cryptoassets and other digital assets. It explains that the Commission’s work will address different sub-categories of digital assets, and will consider whether certain digital assets might be most accurately categorised within a third category of property, distinct from the existing categories of tangible property (things in possession) and intangible property (things in action).

Professor Sarah Green, the Law Commissioner for the Commercial and Common Law Team, said: ‘Smart legal contracts could revolutionise the way we do business, particularly by increasing efficiency and transparency in transactions.

‘We have concluded that the current legal framework is clearly able to facilitate and support the use of smart legal contracts; an important step in ensuring increased recognition and facilitation of these agreements. Our related work on digital assets and conflict of laws will further establish England and Wales as a global leader for technological innovations in the digital sphere.’

A Law Society spokesperson said: ‘It’s a thoughtful analysis of the legal issues relating to digital commerce and makes a key contribution to ensuring the UK remains the best destination for digital business in future.’

 

Issue: 7959 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Technology
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

WSP Solicitors—David Ashcroft & Jessica O’Shea

WSP Solicitors—David Ashcroft & Jessica O’Shea

Commercial property and child law teams expand with senior hires

Duxton Hill Chambers—Lucas Bastin KC & Joshua Hiew

Duxton Hill Chambers—Lucas Bastin KC & Joshua Hiew

Set expands London and Singapore offering with senior international disputes hires

Gilson Gray—Gregor Duthie & Stephen Forsyth

Gilson Gray—Gregor Duthie & Stephen Forsyth

Firm strengthens real estate and litigation teams with partner promotions

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The Civil Justice Council’s review of Part III of the Solicitors Act 1974 could mark the end of what one commentator calls an ‘outdated’ and overly technical regime governing solicitor-client fee disputes
The House of Lords (Hereditary Peers) Act 2026 marks a constitutional watershed by severing the centuries-old link between hereditary titles and automatic membership of the upper chamber
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