Legal
No trust in will writing robots
Robots may be taking over many aspects of life – but they won’t be writing anyone’s last will and testament just yet. According to an offbeat survey
by law firm VWV, which has an office in Birmingham, that’s because the British public are not yet ready for robot will writers. More than 70 per cent of those
who responded said that they would not trust a will drafted by a robot. This figure rose to nearly 90 per cent, who said that they would not want a will drafted using artificial intelligence (AI) alone without any human input. This is despite law firms
increasingly adopting AI in legal matters – although people remain wary of its use when it comes to their own legal affairs. One respondent commented that
they wanted ‘less technology and more face-to-face dealings’, while another said ‘human advice and input is essential’. It’s not all bad news for new
technology though – some 52 per cent of respondents said they
would like to have a digital will, accessible online. At present, under the law of
England and Wales a will must be in writing and strict formalities must be followed in relation to the will's execution, although the Law Commission is currently reviewing this.
Most of the law relating to wills
dates back to the Wills Act 1837. However, the Commission has said that law of wills needs to be modernised to take account of the changes in society, technology and medical understanding that have taken place since the Victorian era. Angharad Lynn, a senior
associate in the private client team at VWV, said: “What this survey shows is that, whilst technology has its place, individuals are understandably anxious about ensuring that their wills are drafted, and estates administered, by human beings. “The place of the trusted adviser
is still very important when it comes to an individual’s legal affairs.”
Sector Focus
National award for Mills & Reeve
Mills & Reeve – whose Birmingham office is headed up by Chamber vice-president Steve Allen - has been named UK law firm of the year at the British Legal Awards. The firm beat off stiff
competition from Shoosmiths, Weightmans, Stephens & Bolton, Osbornes Law, Keystone Law, Harbottle & Lewis and Gunnercooke to land the award. The accolade follows
on from the firm being shortlisted for law firm of the year at ‘The Lawyer’ awards earlier this year and is the first time Mills & Reeve has won a national award. Mr Allen said: “This accolade is reward for the hard work and
Legal accolade: Steve Allen
dedication of all our people who every day go out of their way to do the best they can for our clients, the firm and each other. “We believe our success stems from our highly commercial
approach, the deep relationships we develop with our clients, the quality of our people and our collaborative culture.”
February 2019 CHAMBERLINK 75
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