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11 August 2017
Issue: 7758 / Categories: Legal News
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Time for a new legal personality?

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It could be time for a new legal category of ‘electronic person’ to help the law get to grips with new technology—just as the ‘corporate person’ was created in days gone by. ‘At first glance, it seems far-fetched (as perhaps did 'corporate persons' 400 years ago),’ concede David Kidman, partner at DWF, and Stephen Turner, legal director at DAC Beachcroft, in this week’s NLJ.

However, smart technology, the ‘internet of things’ where devices communicate with each other, and the use of artificial intelligence makes liability difficult to establish. An 'electronic person' would be a simple focal point to sue.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

mfg Solicitors—Hayley Pearce & Lauren Williams

mfg Solicitors—Hayley Pearce & Lauren Williams

Law firm mfg Solicitors announces promotions at Ludlow office

Womble Bond Dickinson—Richard Sharpe

Womble Bond Dickinson—Richard Sharpe

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints partner in Leeds residential team

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners—six promotions

Brabners adds six to partnership in record year for partner promotions

NEWS
The legal profession's AI challenge extends far beyond fabricated case citations, according to a warning about the next phase of technological risk
Law firms should use the transition period before the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumes anti-money laundering (AML) supervision to strengthen governance and compliance, experts have warned
Cross-border disputes increasingly demand creative approaches to gathering evidence, with litigators needing to look beyond traditional letters of request
A Court of Appeal ruling has clarified the distinction between contracts of 'indefinite' and 'perpetual' duration, with potentially significant implications for commercial drafting
The Court of Appeal was entitled to uphold the government's decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, according to an analysis of the ruling
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