The Jury Is Still Out

On November 30, 2022, OpenAI launched a chatbot called ChatGPT and since its release, it has taken the internet by storm. The natural language processing tool driven by AI technology allows an individual to have a human-like conversation with the chatbot, with the language model also demonstrating the ability to answer questions and assist with tasks such as composing emails and essays.  For many years now there has been an increase in digitalisation, with the move towards more efficient and technology-friendly work being incorporated into businesses and personal life. However with this shift towards a more digital workspace comes risks and unprecedented influence. With the launch of AI driven technology such as ChatGPT, and its vastly documented use, the potential influence of AI in court proceedings is the topic of debate right now.  There have been a number of reports of the use of ChatGPT within legal proceedings that call into question the future role of such programs. In...

There has been much public debate on the application of the cab-rank rule, which refers to a principle that prevents barristers from refusing work that they are competent and experienced to undertake because they disagree with the actions and/or views of those seeking representation. Barristers also receive some public ridicule and speculation for "defending someone who is guilty". It is worth noting that to provide legal services is not to necessarily clear an individual of all charges, but instead to assist in mitigating the outcome and providing the best possible advice within the circumstances. The cab rank rule represents an important pillar of the justice system, and is central to the ethos of barristers and practise. However, a recent pledge by over 120 lawyers not to prosecute climate activists nor to provide legal services to fossil fuel companies has challenged this view and caused much debate on whether the rule should be abolished.  Contained within the Bar Standa...

A positive step for child protection has been taken as the minimum age of marriage in England and Wales is raised to 18 under new marriage law which received Royal Assent in April last year. This Act has ended the archaic law that has allowed children aged 16 and 17 to be married with the consent of their parents, even though they are legally considered to be children. This means that 16 to 17-year-olds will no longer be able to marry or enter a civil partnership under any circumstances, including with parental or judicial consent from 26 February 2023. Therefore, it will not be possible for anyone under 18 to marry or enter a civil partnership after this date. What was the marriage law before? Before the Act, forced marriage was only an offence if the person used a type of coercion, for example threats, to cause someone to marry, or if the person lacked capacity to consent to marriage under the Mental Capacity Act. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act will therefore a...

Above: Map Pinpointing Areas of Feet Discoveries Since August 20, 2007, 21 detached human feet have been found on the coasts of the Salish Sea in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada, and Washington, US. It appears that the discoveries cluster around the summer months, with the most common month to find feet being in August. Although this could be because of tidal patterns, it is more likely that people tend to be on the beach most in the summer to make these discoveries. However, they have still been discovered in the later months of November, December and February. Below is a detailed list containing all of the discoveries and what is known about them. 1. August 20, 2007, Jedediah Island, B.C. A young girl visiting from Washington picked up a size 12 white and blue mesh Adidas running shoe and opened the sock to find a man’s right foot inside. This kind of shoe was produced in 2003 and was distributed mainly in India. It is thought that the foot had become disarticulated due to subm...

Above: Victims Madison Mogen (21), Kaylee Goncalves (21), Ethan Chapin (20) and Xana Kernodle (20). Suspect Bryan Kohberger, aged 28 and Criminology Ph.D. student from Washington State University, located less than 10 miles away from the University of Idaho, has been arrested on suspicion of the four murders and remanded in Latah County Jail in Idaho. Above: Mugshot of Suspect Bryan Kohberger (28). On Sunday November 13th 2022, the murders of four University of Idaho students shocked the United States of America and enticed the rest of the world. Ethan Chapin, aged 20; Madison Mogen, aged 21; Xana Kernodle, aged 20; and Kaylee Goncalves, aged 21, were brutally stabbed to death in their off-campus student house in Moscow, Idaho. At the time of the murders, there were also two other roommates who survived, and they are not considered to be suspects. Current Timeline of Events: Below is an outlined timeline of events of the case, as evidenced by police. Night of Saturday November 12: Gonc...