Introduction to Digitalization and Legal Tech, 7.5 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

• the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
• the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
• the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

• gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
• stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
• communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Course objectives

Knowledge and understanding
At the completion of the sub-course the students should be able to:

• describe how computer hardware and software are built-up, and how algorithms, computer communication and databases work, and
• describe how law can become legal tech and digital solutions for government, courts, and other organisations.

Skills and abilities
At the completion of the sub-course the students should be able to:

• create a decision tree from legal rules.

Judgement and approach
At the completion of the sub-course the students should be able to:

• reflect on the importance of digitalisation for society and law.

Main content of the course

The course aims to provide the student with the necessary tools to understand how law can become legal tech and digital solutions for government, courts and other organizations. During the course, the student will learn how the computer, the internet and algorithms are built up and work. The studies include basic concepts of computational thinking, logic, formal reasoning, coding and modeling. The course also introduces the student to how legal rules can be converted into decision trees, and train her to create a decision tree. Furthermore, the course includes discussions on the importance of digitalisation for contemporary society and law.

Teaching methods

Teaching is conducted in the form of lectures, seminars and group exercises. Students are expected to be - individually and, where appropriate, in groups - prepared to participate actively in seminars, groups exercises or the like. Classes are in English.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Seminar (Code: A001)
Participation in seminars.

Written Submission, 3 credits (Code: A002)
Examination by a written assignment.
If a student does not reach the passing grade, but is considered to be able to reach it with a limited effort, the examiner may instruct the student to submit a completed written assignment. The completion shall be done within five days from when the student is assigned the instruction.

Examination, 4.5 credits (Code: A003)
Written home exam.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on examination methods

An examination that a student has failed because of non-attendance or for other reasons, where there is no possibility to receive instructions to do additional work in order to pass, can be re-examined if the conditions for a re-examination exist. Otherwise, the student has the opportunity to participate in the examination the next occasion when the course runs.

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

Seminar
Grades used are Participated (DT).

Written Submission
Grades used are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

Examination
Grades used are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

To obtain the grade Pass on the whole course, Pass is required in all examination forms and Participated (DT) in Seminars.

In order to obtain the grade Pass with Distinction on the whole course, Pass with Distinction is required on the examination forms Written submission (A002) and Examination (A003), and Participated (DT) in Seminars (A001).

Specific entry requirements

Basic Course in Law, 30 ECTS credits or 6 credit points from Rättsvetenskaplig introduktionskurs (for programme students only).

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

The course is included in the Legal science programme with international approach.
The course is taught in English.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required reading

Brookshear, J. Glenn and Brylow, Dennis
Computer Science: An Overview
Pearson

Koulu, Riikka and Hakkarainen, Jenni (eds.)
Law and Digitalisation: Rethinking Legal Services
University of Helsinki Legal Tech Lab, ca 100 pages
(open access)

Additions and Comments on the Reading List

Always the latest edition of the books on the reading list are used.

Additional materials of maximum 200 pages, such as articles, may also be part of the required reading.