UCLan academics help launch first Legal Hackers Chapter in the North West

25 November 2019

New Chapter will explore and spot issues and opportunities where technology can improve and inform the practice of law and access to legal services

UCLan is to become the first university in the North West of England to launch a Legal Hackers Chapter, which will look to use technology to help improve how people  use legal services.

Preston Legal Hackers, is part of a world-wide Legal Hackers movement started in New York in 2012 and will bring together local academics, researchers, lawyers and designers to help find ways in which technology can make legal services accessible. 

Simon Price, Principal Lecturer in Law at UCLan’s School of Law and Social Science said “Having a Legal Hackers Chapter in Preston will provide a great opportunity to explore how technology can be used to improve access to legal services, particularly for those who are currently unable to get the advice and support they need.

“What is particularly pleasing about launching the Chapter is that there will be significant UCLan student representation on the new group, ensuring tomorrow’s professionals can inform and make a difference now.”

Preston Legal Hackers has been set up by Simon, fellow legal academic Linda Chadderton and lawyer Phil Brown from Simple Legals and will be holding a launch event in January 2020.

Following the launch, the Chapter will be hosting 8-10 events in 2020 covering access to justice, artificial intelligence, legal design, blockchain, hackathon’s, social events, emerging technology and the legal profession.

For further information visit Twitter: @LegalHackersPR1.