Singapore, 4 April 2018 – Over the next three days, close to 500 industry leaders, entrepreneurs, technologists, lawyers, and policy-makers will come together to debate and respond to the challenges and opportunities brought about by the technological disruption in legal services.

Organised by the Singapore Academy of Law and Corp Agency, Techlaw.Fest 2018 is a multi-dimensional event that includes a conference, seminars, master classes, exhibitions, a start-up competition, a hackathon and business networking opportunities for participants from more than ten countries. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister-in-Charge of the Smart Nation Initiative, Singapore will deliver the Law of Tech conference opening address and the event will close with a keynote address by Andrew Arruda, CEO & Co-founder of ROSS Intelligence.

Smart approach to regulation in a digital age: Law of Tech Conference

New technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchains are revolutionising how companies conduct business domestically and internationally. Computer programs such as smart contracts which control the transfer of digital currencies like bitcoin are taking the world by storm. At the Law of Tech conference from 5 – 6 April 2018 titled “Smart Regulation for a Digital Economy”, panellists from the private and public sector will discuss the impact of these developments on existing policy and laws using case studies from a range of industries and jurisdictions.

Re-modelling the business of law: Tech of Law Exchange

At the Tech of Law Exchange seminars from 4 – 5 April 2018, legal practitioners including in-house counsel will be given master classes and practical tips on how they can leverage technologies to improve work productivity and deliver better client solutions. Three law firms – CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP, Linklaters Singapore and VanillaLaw LLC – will share their experiences on how they had used technology in their business.  

Hackathon

One of South East Asia’s largest legal tech hackathons will be held as part of the festival – a 48-hour challenge with prizes worth $12,000 co-sponsored by SAL, IMDA and PDPC for the top three winning teams.

Start-up Competition

TechLaw.Fest 2018 will also feature the first of three global competitions to identify and support start-ups that have the ability to develop and/or adapt a technology product that will have a positive impact on major challenges faced by legal systems and facilitate access to justice. Global Legaltech Venture Days which kicks off in Singapore on 5 April at TechLaw.Fest 2018 will be followed by a second competition in Chicago, USA, on 15 June, and a final competition in México City also in June. Seven teams from countries including India, Malaysia and the Philippines will participate in the Asian leg hosted here in Singapore and winners from the regional competitions will be invited to participate at the final Global Legal Tech Venture Day in Madrid in July. Finalists will present their projects to a mix of investors, government officials, business pioneers, and representatives of key industries and will have the opportunity to meet world-leading experts in their field and receive advice, insights and best practices.

Exhibition

Open to the public, the exhibition at Level 3 Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre exhibition hall from 4 – 6 April 2018, 9am – 6pm will showcase products and services from exhibitors including Microsoft, Luminance and Zegal (previously Dragon Law), as well as demonstrations by solution providers and start-ups in Asia. Speakers will take the stage every 15 minutes to address a range of legal tech issues.

“Technology has grown to become something that not just enables, but is changing the way regulators respond and the legal industry behaves,” said SAL’s Chief Executive, Ms Serene Wee. “Our goal with TechLaw.Fest 2018 is to expose the legal technology community to the rapid changes happening around us with the help of thought leaders in this field, and create a platform to encourage intentional networking for collaborations to meet the demands of disruption.”

Tickets for the Law of Tech Conference and Tech of Law Exchange can be purchased online at: https://www.eventnook.com/event/techlawfest2018.

Free visitor passes for the Exhibition can be registered for at: https://www.eventnook.com/event/techlawfest2018.

About the Singapore Academy of Law

The Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) is a promotion and development agency for Singapore’s legal industry. Our vision is to make Singapore the legal hub of Asia.

SAL works with our stakeholders to set new precedents of excellence in Singapore law through developing thought leadership, world class infrastructure and legal solutions. Our mandates are to build up the intellectual capital of the legal profession by enhancing legal knowledge, raise the international profile of Singapore law, promote Singapore as a centre for dispute resolution, and improve the standards and efficiency of legal practice through continuing professional development and the use of technology.

As a body established by statute, SAL also undertakes statutory functions such as stakeholding services and appointment of Senior Counsel, Commissioners for Oaths and Notaries Public.

SAL is led by a Senate headed by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, and comprising the Attorney-General, the Supreme Court Bench and key leaders of the various branches of the legal profession. It has more than 12,000 members, including the Bench, all persons who are called as advocates and solicitors of the Supreme Court (i.e. the Bar) or appointed as Legal Service Officers, corporate counsel, faculty members of the three local law schools (i.e. National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University and Singapore University of Social Sciences) and foreign lawyers in Singapore.

More information can be found at www.sal.org.sg.

News Reports

19 April 2018:

OpenGov - Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on 7 major tech trends and Singapore’s regulatory approach