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NLJ this week: Corporate law in the digital fast lane

01 August 2025
Issue: 8127 / Categories: Legal News , Company , Technology , Artificial intelligence , Governance , Risk management
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From virtual AGMs and e-signatures to AI-assisted governance, technology is streamlining business processes but also raising complex legal questions. Writing in NLJ this week, Piers Larbey and Izabella Brooks of Hunters Law LLP explore how digital transformation is reshaping corporate operations—and the legal frameworks that govern them

While legislation like the Companies Act 2006 and Electronic Communications Act 2000 supports many digital practices, gaps remain—particularly around AI use and directors’ duties. The authors warn that reliance on AI for decision-making may conflict with directors’ statutory obligations to exercise independent judgment and diligence.

They also highlight the evolving legal landscape, including reforms like the Electronic Trade Documents Act 2023 and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. As digital tools proliferate, companies must ensure their governance frameworks keep pace.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
Lawyers have broadly welcomed plans to electronically tag up to 22,000 more offenders, scrap most prison terms below a year and make prisoners ‘earn’ early release
David Lammy, Ellie Reeves and Baroness Levitt have taken up office at the Ministry of Justice, following the cabinet reshuffle
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