All posts by Roger Smith

Ukraine: an assault on the rule of law, access to justice and a vigorous tech economy

legal aid, ,

Among the victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is likely to be a once-thriving commitment both to legal aid and to technology in its service. That will be both important in itself and symbolic of a wider disavowal of justice in the county. The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law, which has had a Ukrainian-based … Continue reading Ukraine: an assault on the rule of law, access to justice and a vigorous tech economy →

Early legal advice: he had it; shouldn’t everyone?

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Suppose you have been issued with a Metropolitan Police questionnaire requiring you – under caution –  to account for your presence at particular locations on specified dates. In response, would you (a) deny your attendance (b) answer ‘no comment’ (c) give a transparent account of your presence (d) get lawyered up. The Prime Minister himself, … Continue reading Early legal advice: he had it; shouldn’t everyone? →

Looking to the World

ODR,

The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL – best known for its early pioneering but ill-fated rechtwijzer) – continues in its role as technological development organisation. Its traditional jamboree in the Hague’s Palace of Justice moved online last week for ‘a demo day’ of their justice accelerator project. This showcased 18 startups from seven … Continue reading Looking to the World →

Passports, Barriers and Bridges

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Last night, the team behind the Maryland Justice Passport covered in the previous post put up with some significant network connection difficulties and gave up an hour to discuss their project. The issues were the potential and the possible replicability of their project. Specifically, should we over here start demanding that courts in the UK … Continue reading Passports, Barriers and Bridges →

Bridging the Gap: A2J Tech and the US – #LSCITC Part 3

ODR, ,

Coverage of two projects complete this series of articles on the Legal Services Corporation’s recent technology conference. They both focus on assistance for people with legal problems but without legal representation. One relates to the provision of dedicated advice and assistance terminals, ‘legal kiosks’, and the other on helping the unrepresented through the process of … Continue reading Bridging the Gap: A2J Tech and the US – #LSCITC Part 3 →