Parallel Session 2 - Session C
Legal Education in the Era of Blockchain: Equipping Future Lawyers for a Decentralised Legal Landscape Mr Charles Ho Wang Mak, Robert Gordon University and University of Glasgow This paper explores the transformative impact of blockchain technology on the legal sector and its implications for legal education. As blockchain emerges as a pivotal tool in various industries, particularly law, it poses significant questions about the alignment of legal education with rapid industry advancements. The paper examines how blockchain, with its potential to revolutionise transaction recording, enhance transparency and efficiency, and mitigate fraud, challenges and reshapes legal education. Initially, the paper delves into blockchain’s growing influence in legal processes, such as managing ownership rights, contracts, and legal documentation. It outlines blockchain’s unique features, like immutability and decentralisation, and their roles in evolving legal transaction methods. This exploration helps underline the technological shifts that future legal professionals must navigate. The paper then scrutinises the current landscape of legal education, questioning whether it sufficiently prepares students for a blockchain-integrated legal career. It argues for educational innovation, urging law schools to adapt their teaching methodologies and content to meet the demands of a legal profession increasingly inter- twined with blockchain technology. Additionally, the paper addresses the ethical and regulatory challenges arising from blockchain’s integration into legal practice. These issues are considered in the context of legal education, discussing how law schools can effectively incorporate them into their curricula. In conclusion, the paper advocates for urgent reform in legal education. It proposes that law schools take a leading role in integrating technological learning with traditional legal training. By doing so, it suggests that law schools can pave the way for a new era of legal education and practice, wherein blockchain technology forms a fundamental component, reshaping both the profession and its educational underpinnings.
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