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LawTech in the ‘Wild West’

13 February 2021
Issue: 7921 / Categories: Legal News , Technology , Profession
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Lawyers and regulators need to consult more with consumers about LawTech, the Association of Consumer Support Associations (ACSO) has urged

The non-profit, which represents civil justice claimants, published its report, Technology and Innovation, last week to coincide with the arrival of noted technology enthusiast Sir Geoffrey Vos QC as Master of the Rolls.

The report highlights that law firms and civil claims organisations will struggle to survive unless they invest in technology, and sets out a series of recommendations, including putting consumers at the heart of innovation, ensuring technology is ethically designed, promoting best practice for data security and learning lessons from InsurTech and FinTech.

For legal regulators, it asks them to provide clarity on liability regarding harm caused by a LawTech product, consider regulating unregulated service providers, and considering ways to regulate the use of AI to protect consumers.

ACSO executive director Matthew Maxwell Scott said LawTech ‘can increase efficiency, reduce costs and tackle the problem of incomplete or asymmetric consumer information’.

However, ‘Without clear guidelines and standards, there is a risk of creating a Wild West where anything goes. That may not be in the public interest.’

Issue: 7921 / Categories: Legal News , Technology , Profession
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