In this summer course students will gain a better understanding of the concepts of legal technology and legal innovation as well as the importance of these concepts in the evolution of the legal world.
They will understand the basic principles of the programming language Python and will be able to apply these principles in simple coding exercises.
They will learn to code a decision tree, a mechanism that is daily used by lawyers, sometimes without being aware of it. Students will understand how a computer makes decisions and how it can make predictions by using so called explaining algorithms. That way students will also gain insights in how a computer can predict judicial decisions.
Students will also meet several legal start-ups and will understand the opportunities of legal technology and legal innovation in the business and customer services of these start-ups.
One of these opportunities are the so called smart contracts. The concept of smart contracts will be analysed. The following questions are addressed:
- What is a smart contract?
- What is the legal value of a smart contract?
- What are the legal difficulties that might arise using a smart contract?
Besides this, students will also learn about the technical aspects of a smart contract and will learn how to put the basic principles of coding a smart contract into practice.
Finally, the students will gain a better understanding of the concept of legal design thinking, in which a multidisciplinary frame is used to present and approach legal problems and legal services in an innovative and customer friendly way. Students will also apply the basic principles of legal design thinking in short exercises.
The course will end with a “LegalTech Game”. Participants who successfully pass this test after continuous class participation will receive a certificate of completion.
Teaching staff
- Prof. Dr. Anne Van de Vijver (Steering Committee)
- Prof. Dr. Toon Calders (Steering Committee)
- Thomas Aertgeerts (Steering Committee)
- Ruben Aertgeerts
- Sylvie De Raedt
- Senne Mennes
- Jörg Heirman
- Dominique Meert
- Luisa Scarcella
- Dries Wijnen
Target group
The summer school is designed for master students in law and law professionals.
No prior technical knowledge is required.
Campus
This summer school takes place at Stadscampus (Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp) of the University of Antwerp. This campus is located in the city centre.
Study credits (ECTS)
Successful completion of the summer school can be awarded with 3 credits according the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Credits will be awarded on the basis of:
- preparatory readings and excercices
- 100 % (active) participation during the course, including preparing and presenting coding excercises and excercises in legal design
- succesfull participation of the legal tech game at the end of the course.
To include the credits in the curriculum at the home institution, participants need an agreement with the responsible person at their university.
A certificate will be awarded at the end of the programme.