Information Technology
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July 11, 2023
Judicial council to issue ‘guidelines’ for judges on use of ChatGPT, other AI tools in litigation
The Canadian Judicial Council (CJC) is developing “guidelines” over the next few months to help judges deal with the ramifications of lawyers and litigants’ use of ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence (AI) tools in court cases, Law360 Canada has learned.
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July 04, 2023
Saskatchewan court gives thumbs up to emoji serving as legal signature
The COVID-19 pandemic may seem like a distant figure in the rearview mirror for most Canadians. However, how we go about our daily lives and conduct business is permanently altered. From hybrid work environments to remote meetings, digital communication for all purposes has become the norm. Indeed, much of the pandemic’s aftermath is a new reality, which for the legal profession entails parsing through the frenzied measures that attempted to keep in step with the age of digital communication.
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June 30, 2023
Deepfake AI and its disruption of the solicitor’s practice | Anton Lunyov
The recent wave of commercial artificial intelligence (AI) is proving to be a disruptive force across many fields of human activity. Recently, ChatGPT and other Large Language Models have gripped the public’s imagination due to their incredible ability to manipulate text on par with that of a human. Despite initial skepticism, the legal profession has not been immune to disruption, with ChatGPT having recently scored in the 90th percentile on the notoriously difficult New York bar exam.
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June 29, 2023
Red flags raised over proposed changes to Quebec judicial appointment process
Quebec leading legal actors have raised red flags over draft regulations that will “dramatically” change the provincial judicial appointment process as it will potentially make it more vulnerable to politicization; increase the justice minister's discretionary power in the selection process; ostensibly undercut the institutional judicial independence of the courts; and will apparently render the procedure more cumbersome and time-consuming, all of which risks undermining public confidence in the courts.
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June 28, 2023
LSO treasurer encourages benchers to share ‘unique perspectives’ at start of her second term
Recommencing her role as Law Society of Ontario (LSO) treasurer, Jacqueline Horvat urged benchers to share their “unique perspectives” as they “forge a path together” to serve the professions and the public.
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June 27, 2023
Manitoba Court of King’s Bench issues AI directive
In efforts to get a jump on potential pitfalls, Manitoba’s Court of King’s Bench is making parties disclose if artificial intelligence was employed in the preparation of court submissions, and how it was used. A June 23 directive signed by King’s Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal points to concerns around the “reliability and accuracy” of AI-generated information being put forth to the court.
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June 27, 2023
Transport Canada rolls out measures to regulate cruise ships, drones ‘beyond visual line-of-sight’
In separate moves on the same day, Transport Canada rolled out mandatory environmental regulatory requirements for cruise ships, backed by administrative monetary penalties of up to $250,000, and also proposed the country’s first safety regulations for drones flying beyond their operators’ line-of-sight — a proposed measure that could affect package deliveries and many other commercial and non-commercial drone uses.
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June 22, 2023
G7 statement outlines privacy and data concerns over generative AI
The G7 data protection and privacy authorities have released a joint statement that outlines key privacy concerns about generative artificial intelligence (AI), including aspects such as legal authority, security safeguards and accountability measures.
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June 22, 2023
‘We’re all digital citizens,’ LCO project lead says, emphasizing gaps in Consumer Protection Act
Highlighting risks in consumer protection in the digital marketplace, the Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) has issued a consultation paper, which “considers updates to Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act to improve notice, consent, terms of service, and access to justice in light of rapid changes in technology and the digital marketplace in Ontario.”
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June 21, 2023
Justice O’Bonsawin’s legacy: A transfer of knowledge and an eagle feather
Last year, a historic appointment was made to the Supreme Court of Canada when Justice Michelle O’Bonsawin became the first Indigenous judge to sit on the country’s highest court. While her ascension to the bench was much celebrated, another lesser known first was happening at the court. Justice O’Bonsawin was sworn in on an eagle feather, the first one to be gifted to a Supreme Court judge for this purpose.