The first ever third-level legal tech course is running this spring at the University of Limerick (UL).

Artificial intelligence (AI) software provider Neota Logic and top-four firm McCann FitzGerald have partnered with UL to deliver the course.

The 12 students participating are in the final year of the Law Plus degree programme, covering core law as well as economics, politics, French or another optional subject.

Legal tech elective

The students doing the legal tech elective are working in teams of three to develop apps on areas such as directors’ duties, and the company secretary function.

The students’ app projects will be launched for inspection and judging on 23 April. The judges include Microsoft director Aisling Curtis, McCann FitzGerald finance partner Josh Hogan (formerly a UL student), and Dr Hugh O'Donnell of training consultancy Ingenium.

Students are learning how to design, build and test digital legal solutions using a proprietary no-code development platform for the automation of professional services.

Progressive curriculum

UL law lecturer Sinead Eaton said this morning that the module’s progressive curriculum – a first for Ireland – will prepare students for an ever-evolving industry. Students will learn how to develop client-ready web apps.

McCann FitzGerald managing partner Barry Devereaux said that the future of law is not solely dependent on legal professionals, and needs a variety of backgrounds to drive innovation.

“While legal expertise is still paramount, clients now rightly demand more efficiency, flexibility and innovation. It’s up to us to deliver that, and that includes developing the next generation of legal talent to deliver it,” he said.

UL is one of four law schools in Europe, including Ulster University, the University of Manchester and London South Bank University, running modules using the Neota Logic AI system.