I recently attended the Thomson Reuters Legal Innovation Summit 2024, and I’ve published a short article that focuses on the key themes discussed at the event. These included navigating GenAI regulation, developing AI literacy, tips on implementing AI in both small and large legal departments, law firms’ approach to AI adoption and concerns about AI.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, will deliver the new government’s first budget update on 30 October 2024. In-house lawyers should also be aware of the publication of the FRC’s annual review of corporate reporting, a Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill and a Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, judgement in an important climate litigation case and an update on the EU AI Pact. Read more [subscription required].
Please join us on 16 October 2024 (2.00pm – 3.00pm) for a webinar hosted by The Centre for Legal Leadership that will look at the importance of personal effectiveness for in-house lawyers.
The webinar will explore what personal effectiveness is for in-house lawyers, how it is developed, the characteristics that can really make a difference to how well an in-house lawyer does their job, and the traits that can sometimes undermine our effectiveness.
The discussion will be led by our speakers, Alex Kuczynski, former General Counsel and Executive Director of Corporate Services at the Financial Reporting Council, and Will Morris, General Counsel – Corporate at Rolls-Royce plc.
Given the emergence of generative AI and legal technology markets, GC100 (the association of general counsel and company secretaries working in FTSE 100 companies) is keen to gather insights from the in-house community about the use of AI and legal technology to support the minute-taking process.
GC100 has designed a poll seeking feedback on how listed and large private companies approach minute-taking, including format, approval process, the extent to which AI assists with these processes, and the issues associated with the use of AI and third-party suppliers of legal technology. It is hoped that the insights provided by this poll will help to provide a better understanding of how AI and other forms of legal technology are shaping the minute-taking process.
The results of the poll will be summarised by the GC100 Secretariat and a summary of the responses will be circulated to respondents.
The deadline for poll responses is 9 September 2024.
A second report on the quality of corporate governance reporting by private companies following the Wates Corporate Governance Principles for Large Private Companies, a discussion paper on opportunities for future UK digital reporting, and the outcome of a consultation on a draft “Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill” are among the key developments for in-house lawyers to consider this month. Read more [subscription required].
Several Bills contained in the King’s Speech will be of interest to in-house lawyers, including the Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill, the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, and the Employment Rights Bill. Publication of the final UK Listing Rules and the EU AI Act are also noteworthy this month. Read more [subscription required].
The general election is on 4 July 2024 and the various manifestos published ahead of that date contain some statements that will be of interest to in-house lawyers. Other noteworthy developments include the publication of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, a consultation on a new code of conduct for directors, and a landmark Supreme Court decision concerning environmental impact assessments. Read more [subscription required].
Rishi Sunak’s surprise announcement of a general election on 4 July 2024 is the key agenda item for in-house lawyers this month. Other developments to keep track of include the adoption by the Council of the EU of the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, publication of a government White Paper on smarter regulation and new market guidance on the operation of the National Security and Investment Act. Read more [subscription required].
Sustainability and artificial intelligence are among the key themes for in-house lawyers this month. Noteworthy developments include the European Parliament’s formal adoption at first reading of the final text of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and the TUC’s publication of a draft Artificial Intelligence (Employment and Regulation) Bill. Read more [subscription required].
The headline development this month is the SRA’s publication of a suite of draft guidance to clarify the role of in-house solicitors. Another high-profile development is the European Parliament’s publication of the Artificial Intelligence Act. Read more [subscription required].