Legal Tech, AI and Automation, 7.5 credits

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students shall be able to:

• critically and independently analyze and discuss the development and significance of legal tech,
• correctly identify and describe the main technological trends that are affecting the legal profession,
• correctly identify and describe areas in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used in the law arena,
• critically and independently analyze and discuss opportunity, risks and issues pertaining from the use of legal tech in the legal industry from a legal perspective,
• critically and independently analyze and discuss the issues related to the use of legal tech in relation to transparency and efficiency of the legal system,
• apply critical perspectives to the significance and legal implications of the use of legal tech in courts,
• critically and independently analyze the ethical issues related to the use of legal tech in the legal industry,
• correctly identify and clarify legal issues related to the use of legal tech as a legal tool in the legal industry in the examination of a legal problem, and correctly apply relevant law sources to the problem.

Content

The course focuses on the use of technology and different legal tech tools in the legal profession. The course provides deep knowledge and understanding of the connection between law and technology, and the development of different tools and their function in solving legal tasks in the public and private sectors. The main topics examined in the course are the use of AI in the legal industry, distributed ledger technology and machine learning. Furthermore, the course addresses the legal impact of the use of technology in the legal industry related to inter alia access to justice, transparency and efficiency of the legal system, and ethical issues.

Examinations and grades

Legal Tech, 5.5 credits (Code: A005)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Oral and Written Communication, 2 credits (Code: A006)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

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 determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

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

The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Comments on grades

In order to obtain a passing final course grade on the entire course, the minimum grade required is Sufficient (E) on the examination Legal Tech (A005) and Sufficient (E) on the examination Oral and Written Communication (A006).

The final course grade on the entire course will be a weighted average of the grades in accordance with the credits of the examination Legal Tech (A005) and the examination Oral and Written Communication (A006).

Modes of assessment

Legal Tech, 5.5 credits (Code: A005)
Written examination.

Oral and Written Communication, 2 credits (Code: A006)
Continuous examination.
If a student does not achieve an approved grade on a written assignment, but with a limited effort is deemed to be able to reach it, the student may complete the written assignment in accordance with the examiner’s instructions. The supplement shall be completed within 5 (five) working days from the time the student is assigned the instructions.

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

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

Basic Course in Law, 30 ECTS credits, and Intermediate Course in Law, 30 ECTS credits (for exchange students).

Introduction to Legal Thinking 30 ECTS credits, Introduction to digitalisation and legal tech 7.5 ECTS credits, 1.5 ECTS credits from Comparative Constitutional Law, 7.5 Credits, EU Law 15 ECTS credits, and 10 ECTS credits from Public International Law, 15 ECTS credits. Alternative, Introduction to Legal Thinking 30 ECTS credits, Introduction to digitalisation and legal tech 7.5 ECTS credits, EU Law 15 ECTS credits, and 10 ECTS credits from Human Rights, 24 ECTS credits (for programme students only).

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

The course is given 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.

Reading list and other learning resources

Required reading

Corrales, Marcelo; Fenwick Mark; Haapio Helena (eds)
Legal Tech, Smart Contracts and Blockchain
Springer, 272 pages

DiMatteo, Larry A.; Janssen, André; Ortolani, Pietro; de Elizalde, Francisco; Cannarsa, Michel; Durovic, Mateja (eds)
The Cambridge Handbook of Lawyering in the Digital Age
Cambridge University Press, 380 pages

Poppe, Emily S. Taylor
The Future Is Complicated: AI, Apps & Access to Justice
Oklahoma Law Review, 72:1 (2019), 185-212 (27 pages)

Salmerón-Manzano, Esther
Legaltech and Lawtech: Global Perspectives, Challenges, and Opportunities
Laws, 10:24 (2021), 1-9 (9 pages)

Additional reading

Cabral, James E.; Chavan, Abhijeet; Clarke, Thomas M.; Greacen, John; Hough, Bonnie Rose; Rexer, Linda; Ribadeneyra, Jane; Zorza, Richard
Using Technology to Enhance Access to Justice
Harvard Journal of Law & Technology, 26:1 (2012), 241-323 (81 pages)

Susskind, Richard
Tomorrow's lawyer's: an introduction to your future
Oxford University Press, 240 pages

Additions to and Comments on the Reading List

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

Additional materials of approximately 300 pages, such as articles and case-law, are also part of the required reading.

Some of the literature may be available online and as E-book.