The question of whether legal technology can really improve access to justice for those who might otherwise struggle to obtain legal representation is a compelling one for this industry right now. Can automation of documents or workflows, and applications such as expert Q&A systems, really reduce the burden for the growing number litigants without the means to pay for a lawyer?
The Personal Support Unit, a charity dedicated to providing free, independent assistance to people facing legal proceedings without representation, is teaming up with legal engineering consultancy BamLegal for an important fundraising breakfast event in London on March 25, where legal tech’s role in improving access will be debated by a range of speakers.
Those will include Lord Michael Briggs, Deputy Head of Civil Justice of England and Wales and author of the Briggs Review; Kat Barry, strategy manager at Mishcon de Reya; Sophie Walker of Just Access; Maeve Lavelle of Neota Logic; Hayley Blundell of the Personal Support Unit and Catherine Bamford of BamLegal.
“I became a volunteer for the PSU in 2018 in order to not only help litigants in person, but also to get first-hand experience of the challenges to access to justice in the UK,” said Bamford.
“I am hoping that this event will help to facilitate the coming together of the legal tech community and those working at the sharp edge of our justice system to collaboratively help improve access to justice.”
As well as raising much needed funds for the Personal Support Unit, so that they can continue to assist litigants without means, the goal of the event is to spark ideas and inspire the audience to use their skills to form collaborations and come up with useful solutions.
The event will take place at the Law Society on Chancery Lane from 8:30 – 10:30 on March 25. For more event details and tickets, please see the link: https://www.thepsu.org/events/lectures-and-webinars/access-to-justice-how-the-legal-tech-community-can-help/ Funds raised by the event will be going directly to the PSU.
Amy Carroll
