Conversations from CLAWCON 2023 From 12 to 14 July 2023, the Singapore Management University’s Centre for Computational Law (SMU CCLAW) hosted the 1st Edition of the Computational Law Conference (CLAWCON). The inaugural conference was structured around the theme of “Computational Law + Symbolic AI + Industry Adoption challenges, issues, and real-world implementations”. CLAWCON’s programme had a diverse mix of industry discussions (e.g. What computer scientists and lawyers ought to know about each other’s domains, What a “law-department-of-the-future” might look like?), academic insights (e.g ..read more

We had the opportunity to dine at Bonding Kitchen at Orchard Gateway late last year. In addition to being a 忘年会 (End of year party), we also were welcoming two recent additions to our department. So where else could they get a better introduction to the cultural melting pot that is Singapore (and its food) than Peranakan cuisine? Or so I say. I didn’t have Peranakan food in mind at first, but I chose this place solely because I thought it would be funny to let my colleagues know that we would be having our bonding dinner at … Bonding Kitchen. And … it turned out pretty well! I look forward to ..read more

This article discusses key takeaways from the UK Supreme Court decision in Byers v Saudi National Bank on the law of knowing receipt, possible implications of Byers v Saudi National Bank on Singapore’s law on knowing receipt, as well as potential alternative claims of dishonest assistance and unjust enrichment. 1. Introduction The UK Supreme Court (UKSC) decision in Byers and Others v Saudi National Bank [2023] UKSC 51 (Byers v Saudi National Bank)1Byers and Others v Saudi National Bank (2023) UKSC 51 (“Byers v Saudi National Bank”). has provided welcome clarification to a notoriously confusin ..read more

This article explores liability for text and image content produced by generative AI. In the case of wrong output, or hate speech/toxic output – who should be responsible (given the many parties involved in developing and deploying the AI system and the user also influences the output by inputting the prompt), how are the industry and the regulators reacting, and is it enough? An earlier article discussed the IP issues arising from the content produced, and this article now examines the nature of the content. This article timely in light of the spate of regulatory and industry developments thi ..read more

“What’s their work-from-home policy like?” That’s the question we get 80% of the time when speaking with lawyers looking out for new roles. Working from home, or “WFH”, has become everyday parlance. It is also a significant factor that influences people’s decisions on whether to stay with their current firms. 3-2, 4-1 = what do the numbers mean? The Data Divide A Microsoft Work Trends report in 2022 paints a dichotomy between what employers and employees feel about WFH. 85% of employers believe that people will be more productive working in the office. 87% of employees believe that they will ..read more

Enhancing Service Delivery in Law Firms The legal profession is at a critical juncture, with technology reshaping client satisfaction and service delivery. This article evaluates legal tech innovations’ role in improving client experiences, advocating for services that meet modern demands for personalization and accessibility. It discusses measures to better capture client value perceptions in the digital era. Strategic client management is emphasised as key to building lasting relationships through proactive engagement. Additionally, it examines how technological advancements redefine service ..read more

For over a decade, purpose-built AI has been infiltrating document review workflows, ushering in greater efficiency and cost reduction in litigation, investigations and dispute resolution. While manual review remains the status quo in Singapore at present, the imperative for AI-powered solutions has grown in response to the disruption of the changing size and shape of electronic evidence. However, there are lingering questions around the practical application of AI in the legal domain. Almost overnight, the capabilities of generative AI have disrupted traditional practices by offering a new st ..read more

You’re almost in KL! The city centre is just about an hour’s drive from the Seremban rest stop. No surprise that many Singaporeans will be stopping at this major rest and relax stop to refuel or recharge (for EVs) or simply to get a Ramly burger. This rest stop has a lot in common with Singapore. While it is not a destination per se, it possesses the necessary amenities for Singaporean travellers driving northbound for a quick stop. Singapore thrives as a “pit-stop” for the world; our steady economic growth and good jobs for Singaporeans depend on multinational enterprises or MNEs making a lan ..read more

The annual Law Fraternity Games (LFG) 2024 was held from 2 to 3 February 2024. A long-standing tradition of LFG is for members of the Law Society of Singapore (LSS) to intermingle with aspiring lawyers, paving the way for connections and friendships to be formed. The turnout for the LFG was met with active participation from LSS, NUS Faculty of Law (NUS), SMU Yong Pung How School of Law (SMU) and SUSS School of Law (SUSS). Showing superb abilities across all games, LSS got first place for all of the games it was represented in. SMU also obtained joint first with LSS in Soccer (Men). It was als ..read more

In Singapore, recent prominent cases under the Geographical Indications Act 2014 (GI), have drawn attention to the Singapore Courts’ stance on the protection of geographical indications (GIs) and how they ensure the need for consumer protection. The article compares the Singapore Court’s decision with the position in the EU to provide a comprehensive insight into the progress of GIs development in Singapore. In Singapore, intellectual property (IP) protection for geographical indications (GIs) was first legislatively provided for by the enactment of the Geographical Indications Act (Cap. 117B ..read more