The Law & Technology Committee was established in 2000. Its membership is typically drawn from law firms, the independent bar, in-house counsel, the judiciary and academia.

The Committee regards itself as having dual purposes.

The first is to be a vehicle by which the profession can express its views on issues or proposals that involve technology and the law. This role is largely filled by way of preparation and filing of submissions on proposed legislation and relevant proposals by Government or public bodies. There are also occasions where the Committee may raise issues of its own accord, for example in relation to public access to legislation and case law.

The second is to provide information to the profession on issues or proposals that involve technology and the law. Examples of information provided include a protocol on the electronic exchange of documents and a summary of the impact of anti-spam laws on practitioners. Again, topics for these can be fulfilled either proactively, as issues arise, or reactively, in response to particular queries from the profession.

The Committee liaises with and provides input to other Committees’ deliberations as needed (for example, with respect to electronic filing of Court documents).

There are an increasing number of technology related legal issues arising particularly with respect to the development of the internet. Almost every legislative proposal can nowadays carry with it legal implications brought on by technological developments.

Click here to view the Law and Technology committee members.