The law school of
University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has launched Australia’s first undergraduate legal major in legal technologies and legal futures.
The programme will be offered as part of the standalone bachelor of laws and combined bachelor of laws degrees of the university. Intake starts March 2018, and the major is set to commence in the 2018 autumn session.
Officially called the legal futures and technology major, the program will have two capstone subjects, including an applied project that will challenge students to solve real-world problems in the legal profession to examine the intersection of technology and the law. The major will also feature specialist electives and an internship opportunity in the legal futures and technology field, the university said.
However, UTS Law said that the major will look beyond how technology has changed traditional legal processes.
“We want students to also consider how technology is causing doctrinal changes in law. Obviously, we know technology can be used to create solutions to certain legal problems, and that it can improve the delivery of legal services – but technology also causes legal problems,” said Penny Crofts, associate professor. “We don’t want to limit the direction students can take.”
Lecturer Philippa Ryan said that the university is launching the major to ensure graduates are competitively placed in the profession.
“The future lawyer must be well-versed in all things legal technology. Artificial intelligence is being used in writing and data analysis, legal research, and discovery processes. Online apps are managing dispute resolution and access to justice in the courts and in private practice. It’s really important that UTS Law students are familiar with these different specialist applications,” she said.
“Whether it’s a practical or theoretical appreciation of legal technology, the law student who possesses these skills will have a considerable edge in the competition for clerkships and graduate positions,” she added.
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