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Collaborative activity within Swansea University
5.6 At this Final Evaluation stage, feedback from consultees indicates the operation has supported an enhanced collaborative research culture in Swansea University’s Law School. Throughout the operation, there has been ongoing engagement between the LILW and colleagues from the School of Law, including collaborative research projects, engagement with the Software Development Team, and events open to all within the School / Faculty. 5.7 Linked to this, there was strong qualitative evidence that linkages and synergies between the LegalTech team and the Law Clinic at Swansea University have improved over time. There has been a mutually beneficial signposting
There is a real energy to the [Lab’s] work, and I’ve learnt a lot from some of the other academics, many of whom have a far greater handle on the tech than I do
Internal stakeholder consultee
and referral mechanism for external partners between the two teams. For example, the Lab introduced the Law Clinic to a software company developing a self-guided app for individuals going to employment tribunals. The Clinic piloted the app with their clients resulting in valuable feedback for the company and a beneficial experience for students. Collaborative activity between the Clinic and Lab has also been strong. Examples of activity include: • The Lab has supported and advised on the Clinic’s immigration work, including a Clinic project using an app called ‘ legalconnection ’ to support Ukrainian refugees with accessing advice in real time. • The Lab has led on developing a chatbot to help members of the public understand the Renting Homes Wales Act 2016, which came into force 2022. The chatbot is being trialled in the Clinic. • The Clinic is developing a new inter-agency referral app with support from the Lab. The app aims to improve information sharing between agencies, and benefit some of the most vulnerable people in society. Funding has been secured to trial the app, and feedback suggest that Lab was an important contributory factor in securing this funding because of the Lab’s legalTech expertise. • The second phase of SRA led Regulators’ Pioneer Funded proje ct involved the Clinic working alongside the LegalTech team to develop tech solutions to support the access to justice agenda.
5.8 However, evidence of improved linkages and synergies between LegalTech and Cyber Threats expertise within the University (i.e. collaboration between themes within the
Legal Innovation Lab Wales
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