The rapid increase in the range and prevalence of digital assets is creating an ever-widening gap between the technologies and the lumbering legal systems trying to keep up.

According to a recent study, more than half of homebuyers found the process of buying a property more stressful than they expected, with solicitors not replying cited by 28% of them.

While legaltech cannot and should not promise to be able to alleviate all challenges in closing the access to justice gaps in society, there are ways that it can ensure greater access to justice for vulnerable clients.

Partners reaching the mandatory retirement age often find themselves forced to challenge it as potential age discrimination and/or seek to negotiate a limited extension.

There are many valid complaints that can be made about the Solicitors Regulation Authority, but in my view increasing its fining powers is, on balance, in the interests of all concerned.