Responsible data use will be a core focus for Singapore's second TechLaw.Fest. The conference next week will cast a spotlight on the state of Asia legal innovation and in particular examine issues surrounding data - among them its access and control, security and 5G, and the role of data in commerce. To be held from 5-6 September 2019 at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore, the two-day event will be opened by Minister for Law and Home Affairs Mr K Shanmugam while Sir Tim Berners-Lee, founder of the World Wide Web (WWW) will deliver the opening keynote. Organised by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL), Singapore's Ministry of Law and MP Singapore, TechLaw.Fest 2019 is expected to attract an anticipated crowd of 1500 international delegates and visitors including industry leaders, entrepreneurs, technologists, lawyers, and policymakers from some 18 countries.

Practical steps

The event will feature some 60 speakers in a series of panel discussions and seminars that delve deeper into the latest in the law of technology such as blockchain and smart contracts, AI and robotics. Law firms and legal departments will also share practical steps taken to transform old ways of doing, encourage new ways of thinking, and implement new ways of being in the legal industry. Tech Talks on data visualisation, legal design, venture capital for legal tech, innovation in legal education and other topics will take place in the main exhibition hall. 

Client-centric

Amongst the 40 partners, exhibitors and startups showcasing innovative legal technology solutions are DXC Technology (USA), Thomson Reuters (USA), Luminance (UK), Pravoved (Russia), Sorbonne-Assas International Law School (France), Clifford Chance (Singapore), just to name a few. 'Law in Asia is transforming, and digital innovation is helping law firms and in-house law departments become more efficient, relevant and client-centric,' said William Deckelman, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, DXC Technology. 'As the Digital Transformation Partner at TechLaw.Fest 2019, DXC welcomes the opportunity to share our experiences and learnings to contribute to a vibrant legal ecosystem in Singapore.' 

Interactive tech

The SAL Lounge is an experiential space at TechLaw.Fest that will host networking sessions alongside immersive tech demos and interactive tech consultations. One of these demos will debut LawNetPLUS, a portal that will seamlessly integrate the legal industry's services, including those offered by SAL. 'We foresee LawNetPLUS to become the single platform bringing together technology and services for the entire profession," said Ms Serene Wee, Chief Executive of SAL. "It will increase accessibility to the ever-expanding pool of services targeting the legal community.'

Start-up pitching competition

To raise the profile of early stage start-ups in Asia Pacific's legal and regulatory space, TechLaw.Fest 2019 also partnered Thomson Reuters to host TR Ignite. This pitching competition will give 10 start-ups a chance to secure up to US$250,000 in funding. Qualifying start-ups will also be offered a place on GLIDE, SAL's legaltech accelerator. Mr Paul Neo, chief operating officer of SAL, said: 'In creating links between programmes like GLIDE and TR Ignite, we are expanding opportunities for technology startups to scale in a way that best supports their market opportunities and business goals. With programmes originating from a source of deep domain expertise, we are ensuring that we are solving the most critical challenges and opportunities facing legal practitioners in Asia Pacific.' For more information: www.techlawfest.com.