Retrieval of court decisions dealing with a similar legal matter is a prevalent task performed by lawyers as it is a part of a relevant decision-making practice review. In spite of the natural language processing methods that are currently available, this legal research is still mostly done through Boolean searches or by contextual retrieval. In this study, it is experimentally verified whether the doc2vec method together with cosine similarity, can automatically retrieve the Czech Supreme Court decisions dealing with a similar legal issue as a given decision. Furthermore, the limits and challenges of these methods and its application on the Czech Supreme Court decisions are discussed.
{"title":"Document Similarity of Czech Supreme Court Decisions","authors":"Tereza Novotná","doi":"10.5817/mujlt2020-1-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5817/mujlt2020-1-5","url":null,"abstract":"Retrieval of court decisions dealing with a similar legal matter is a prevalent task performed by lawyers as it is a part of a relevant decision-making practice review. In spite of the natural language processing methods that are currently available, this legal research is still mostly done through Boolean searches or by contextual retrieval. In this study, it is experimentally verified whether the doc2vec method together with cosine similarity, can automatically retrieve the Czech Supreme Court decisions dealing with a similar legal issue as a given decision. Furthermore, the limits and challenges of these methods and its application on the Czech Supreme Court decisions are discussed.","PeriodicalId":38294,"journal":{"name":"Masaryk University Journal of Law and Technology","volume":"14 1","pages":"105-122"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44427834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Modern terrorism is global and decentralized like cyberspace. While the Darknet is mostly used by terrorists for fundraising campaigns and illicit trading, publicly accessible social platforms such as Twitter, Facebook or YouTube are abused for terrorist propaganda. Combating terrorism remains one of the top priorities of the European union (hereinafter as “the EU”). The approach towards the online content possibly connected to terrorist propaganda has become stricter. This paper focuses on the development of the EU legislation on the offence related to terrorist activities: the public provocation to commit a terrorist offence, as well as on the obligations of hosting service providers. It also analyses the impact of the Directive (EU) 2017/541 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on combating terrorism and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA and amending Council Decision 2005/671/JHA. The article observes a changing attitude on private monitoring of online information in the development of the EU legislation. It analyses changes in the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online. These changes signify a shift in the perception of the necessary level of freedom to receive and impart information through the internet.
{"title":"Public Provocation to Commit a Terrorist Offence: Balancing between the Liberties and the Security","authors":"Kristina Ramešová","doi":"10.5817/mujlt2020-1-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5817/mujlt2020-1-6","url":null,"abstract":"Modern terrorism is global and decentralized like cyberspace. While the Darknet is mostly used by terrorists for fundraising campaigns and illicit trading, publicly accessible social platforms such as Twitter, Facebook or YouTube are abused for terrorist propaganda. Combating terrorism remains one of the top priorities of the European union (hereinafter as “the EU”). The approach towards the online content possibly connected to terrorist propaganda has become stricter. This paper focuses on the development of the EU legislation on the offence related to terrorist activities: the public provocation to commit a terrorist offence, as well as on the obligations of hosting service providers. It also analyses the impact of the Directive (EU) 2017/541 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on combating terrorism and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA and amending Council Decision 2005/671/JHA. The article observes a changing attitude on private monitoring of online information in the development of the EU legislation. It analyses changes in the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on preventing the dissemination of terrorist content online. These changes signify a shift in the perception of the necessary level of freedom to receive and impart information through the internet.","PeriodicalId":38294,"journal":{"name":"Masaryk University Journal of Law and Technology","volume":"14 1","pages":"123-147"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46254360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The undoubted popularity of cloud computing stems in particular from the fact that the provider can simultaneously offer access to his or her computing resources to an almost unlimited number of users located in different countries. Although this feature brings significant benefits to the provider, it also raises serious questions regarding the law governing the contract. The concerns become especially relevant in the case of contracts concluded between a consumer and a professional due to the limits of the choice of law and the special rules protecting consumers. The article analyses the law applicable to cloud computing contracts concluded with consumers. The considerations focus on the special provisions regarding consumer protection. Contrary to some comments, the article claims that the current legal framework is sufficient to determine the applicable law, although this task is not without doubts.
{"title":"Law Applicable to Cloud Computing Contracts Concluded with Consumers under Regulation 593/2008, According to the CJEU Case Law","authors":"Krzysztof Żok","doi":"10.5817/mujlt2020-1-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5817/mujlt2020-1-4","url":null,"abstract":"The undoubted popularity of cloud computing stems in particular from the fact that the provider can simultaneously offer access to his or her computing resources to an almost unlimited number of users located in different countries. Although this feature brings significant benefits to the provider, it also raises serious questions regarding the law governing the contract. The concerns become especially relevant in the case of contracts concluded between a consumer and a professional due to the limits of the choice of law and the special rules protecting consumers. The article analyses the law applicable to cloud computing contracts concluded with consumers. The considerations focus on the special provisions regarding consumer protection. Contrary to some comments, the article claims that the current legal framework is sufficient to determine the applicable law, although this task is not without doubts.","PeriodicalId":38294,"journal":{"name":"Masaryk University Journal of Law and Technology","volume":"14 1","pages":"83-104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44061252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Technology is advancing at a rapid pace. As we anticipate a rapid increase in artificial intelligence (AI), we may soon find ourselves dealing with fully autonomous technology with the capacity to cause harm and injuries. What then? Who is going to be held accountable if AI systems harm us?Currently there is no answer to this question and the existing regulatory framework falls short in addressing the accountability regime of autonomous systems. This paper analyses criminal liability of AI systems, evaluated under the existing rules of criminal law. It highlights the social and legal implications of the current criminal liability regime as it is applied to the complex nature of industrial robots. Finally, the paper explores whether corporate liability is a viable option and what legal standards are possible for imposing criminal liability on the companies who deploy AI systems.The paper reveals that traditional criminal law and legal theory are not well positioned to answer the questions at hand, as there are many practical problems that require further evaluation. I have demonstrated that with the development of AI, more questions will surface and legal frameworks will inevitably need to adapt. The conclusions of this paper could be the basis for further research.
{"title":"The Complexity of Criminal Liability of AI Systems","authors":"N. Osmani","doi":"10.5817/mujlt2020-1-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5817/mujlt2020-1-3","url":null,"abstract":"Technology is advancing at a rapid pace. As we anticipate a rapid increase in artificial intelligence (AI), we may soon find ourselves dealing with fully autonomous technology with the capacity to cause harm and injuries. What then? Who is going to be held accountable if AI systems harm us?Currently there is no answer to this question and the existing regulatory framework falls short in addressing the accountability regime of autonomous systems. This paper analyses criminal liability of AI systems, evaluated under the existing rules of criminal law. It highlights the social and legal implications of the current criminal liability regime as it is applied to the complex nature of industrial robots. Finally, the paper explores whether corporate liability is a viable option and what legal standards are possible for imposing criminal liability on the companies who deploy AI systems.The paper reveals that traditional criminal law and legal theory are not well positioned to answer the questions at hand, as there are many practical problems that require further evaluation. I have demonstrated that with the development of AI, more questions will surface and legal frameworks will inevitably need to adapt. The conclusions of this paper could be the basis for further research.","PeriodicalId":38294,"journal":{"name":"Masaryk University Journal of Law and Technology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42482234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This article analyses the effectivity of teaching EU law using various educational media. It specifically explores the differences between, and sustainability of, mental models constructed within three various educational environments: (1) a digital game played on PCs, (2) a non-digital role-playing game, and (3) a traditional lecture with discussions. We conducted a laboratory experiment, in which participants (253 high school students, M = 112, F = 141, mean age 16.5) studied EU laws, institutions, and politics in the three above-mentioned environments. We evaluated and compared mental models participants constructed through content analysis of the concept maps they drew immediately after the experiment and others made one month later. Within the analysis, we studied content, architecture, and changes in mental models over time. The resulting data offer unique insight into the process of mental models creation and sustainability thereof within game-based learning; particularly, when using a digital game. Digital game-based learners’ concept maps differed in comparison with those of the educational role-playing and traditional lecture groups; the students tended to keep less altered mental models in their long-term memory: even after the one month period. The results suggest that a digital game-based learning environment could be more successful in mental model retention and for efficacy of future recall; particularly, when dealing with complex phenomena like EU law.
本文分析了利用各种教育媒介进行欧盟法教学的有效性。它特别探讨了在三种不同的教育环境中构建的心理模型之间的差异和可持续性:(1)在pc上玩的数字游戏,(2)非数字角色扮演游戏,以及(3)带有讨论的传统讲座。我们进行了一项实验室实验,参与者(253名高中生,M = 112, F = 141,平均年龄16.5)在上述三种环境中研究了欧盟的法律、制度和政治。我们评估并比较了参与者通过对实验后立即绘制的概念图的内容分析而构建的心智模型和其他人在一个月后绘制的心智模型。在分析中,我们研究了内容、体系结构以及随着时间的推移心智模型的变化。由此产生的数据为基于游戏的学习中心理模型的创建过程及其可持续性提供了独特的见解;特别是在使用数字游戏时。基于数字游戏的学习者的概念图与教育角色扮演组和传统讲座组的学习者的概念图不同;学生们倾向于在长期记忆中保留较少改变的心智模式:即使在一个月后也是如此。结果表明,基于数字游戏的学习环境在心智模型保留和未来回忆的有效性方面可能更成功;特别是在处理像欧盟法律这样的复杂现象时。
{"title":"Higher Sustainability of Mental Models Acquired from a Digital Game in Comparison with a Live Action Role-playing Game and a Traditional Lecture","authors":"Michaela Slussareff, Vít Šisler","doi":"10.5817/mujlt2020-1-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5817/mujlt2020-1-2","url":null,"abstract":"This article analyses the effectivity of teaching EU law using various educational media. It specifically explores the differences between, and sustainability of, mental models constructed within three various educational environments: (1) a digital game played on PCs, (2) a non-digital role-playing game, and (3) a traditional lecture with discussions. We conducted a laboratory experiment, in which participants (253 high school students, M = 112, F = 141, mean age 16.5) studied EU laws, institutions, and politics in the three above-mentioned environments. We evaluated and compared mental models participants constructed through content analysis of the concept maps they drew immediately after the experiment and others made one month later. Within the analysis, we studied content, architecture, and changes in mental models over time. The resulting data offer unique insight into the process of mental models creation and sustainability thereof within game-based learning; particularly, when using a digital game. Digital game-based learners’ concept maps differed in comparison with those of the educational role-playing and traditional lecture groups; the students tended to keep less altered mental models in their long-term memory: even after the one month period. The results suggest that a digital game-based learning environment could be more successful in mental model retention and for efficacy of future recall; particularly, when dealing with complex phenomena like EU law.","PeriodicalId":38294,"journal":{"name":"Masaryk University Journal of Law and Technology","volume":"14 1","pages":"29-52"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46967685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This article presents an analysis of the cyber extortion and threats cases brought to the United States courts. The inquiry employed content analysis to identify important elements and attributes and answers research questions concerning essential attributes, legal elements, and how do the courts interprets these offenses. The article extends the understanding of this phenomenon by providing a thorough discussion of the conceptual issues and characteristics and an analysis of the most important litigation aspects, such as intent, true threats, sentencing, and the insanity defense. The article concludes with recommendations for stakeholders, to more effectively address the phenomenon.
{"title":"Cyber Extortion and Threats: Analysis of the United States Case Law","authors":"Ioana Vasiu, Lucian Vasiu","doi":"10.5817/mujlt2020-1-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5817/mujlt2020-1-1","url":null,"abstract":"This article presents an analysis of the cyber extortion and threats cases brought to the United States courts. The inquiry employed content analysis to identify important elements and attributes and answers research questions concerning essential attributes, legal elements, and how do the courts interprets these offenses. The article extends the understanding of this phenomenon by providing a thorough discussion of the conceptual issues and characteristics and an analysis of the most important litigation aspects, such as intent, true threats, sentencing, and the insanity defense. The article concludes with recommendations for stakeholders, to more effectively address the phenomenon.","PeriodicalId":38294,"journal":{"name":"Masaryk University Journal of Law and Technology","volume":"14 1","pages":"3-28"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46672559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Among substantial advancements challenging contemporary contract law special attention is given to autonomous, cryptographic solutions based on decentralised infrastructure provided by blockchain technology, intended to execute transactions automatically, designated as smart contracts. The need for comprehensive research on legal implications of practical implementation of this technological innovation is triggered particularly by the prognostications declaring it a valid alternative to hitherto contract law framework that is expected to be ultimately replaced by algorithmic mechanisms underpinning smart contracts.A relevant assessment of the impact smart contracts are presumed to have on the contract law domain requires a thorough analysis of their juridical status. The specificity of the category of smart contracts raises doubts whether they comply with the definition criteria inherent to contract law terminology. Additionally, it is of material importance to determine the function smart contracts can perform in the sphere of contractual practice and to confront it with the role and axiology of contract law.The article aims at analysing the peculiarities of smart contracts from the perspective of the Polish private law system with account being also taken of current development tendencies concerning the concept of contract.
{"title":"Juridical Status of So-called Smart Contracts against the Background of the Polish Legal Framework","authors":"Bogna Kaczorowska","doi":"10.5817/mujlt2019-2-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5817/mujlt2019-2-3","url":null,"abstract":"Among substantial advancements challenging contemporary contract law special attention is given to autonomous, cryptographic solutions based on decentralised infrastructure provided by blockchain technology, intended to execute transactions automatically, designated as smart contracts. The need for comprehensive research on legal implications of practical implementation of this technological innovation is triggered particularly by the prognostications declaring it a valid alternative to hitherto contract law framework that is expected to be ultimately replaced by algorithmic mechanisms underpinning smart contracts.A relevant assessment of the impact smart contracts are presumed to have on the contract law domain requires a thorough analysis of their juridical status. The specificity of the category of smart contracts raises doubts whether they comply with the definition criteria inherent to contract law terminology. Additionally, it is of material importance to determine the function smart contracts can perform in the sphere of contractual practice and to confront it with the role and axiology of contract law.The article aims at analysing the peculiarities of smart contracts from the perspective of the Polish private law system with account being also taken of current development tendencies concerning the concept of contract.","PeriodicalId":38294,"journal":{"name":"Masaryk University Journal of Law and Technology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45131968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Efficient enforcement of legal substance requires proper procedures and capable institutions. In that respect, law is now being challenged by the emergence of automated systems that autonomously decide about matters concerning rights. The neuralgic point in enforcement of legal compliance of such systems, namely with regards to possible discrimination, is transparency. Currently, there exists, at least in the EU, particular individual right to know the logic of respective algorithms. The comment tries to narrow down the issue of actual enforceability of that right by investigating its basic procedural and institutional aspects.
{"title":"Procedural and Institutional Backing of Transparency in Algorithmic Processing of Rights","authors":"R. Polcák","doi":"10.5817/mujlt2019-2-11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5817/mujlt2019-2-11","url":null,"abstract":"Efficient enforcement of legal substance requires proper procedures and capable institutions. In that respect, law is now being challenged by the emergence of automated systems that autonomously decide about matters concerning rights. The neuralgic point in enforcement of legal compliance of such systems, namely with regards to possible discrimination, is transparency. Currently, there exists, at least in the EU, particular individual right to know the logic of respective algorithms. The comment tries to narrow down the issue of actual enforceability of that right by investigating its basic procedural and institutional aspects.","PeriodicalId":38294,"journal":{"name":"Masaryk University Journal of Law and Technology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43297901","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The article focuses on whether it is possible to use new technologies such as distributed ledger technology (DLT) in shareholder ledger maintenance systems. The article uses Estonia as an example to describe the shortcomings of shareholder ledger maintenance regulation and possible suggestions for reform and applies the principle of technology-neutrality to the subject matter to assess whether the regulation allows the adoption of new technologies, such as DLT, in ledger maintenance. The aim of the principle of technology-neutrality is to secure that the regulator does not create regulation that prefers any particular technology and discriminates against other technologies. Any regulation that is built around a pre-existing technology could suffer from preferring the use of that particular technology and consequently hinder innovation. In the article it is examined whether the ledger maintenance models used in Estonia are benefitting or suffering from the non-existence of technology-neutral technical standards for ledger maintenance and whether the differentiation of treatment of shareholder ledger administrators is justified on the basis of the principle of technology-neutrality.
{"title":"Shareholder Ledger Using Distributed Ledger Technology: The Estonian Perspective","authors":"Anne Veerpalu","doi":"10.5817/mujlt2019-2-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5817/mujlt2019-2-6","url":null,"abstract":"The article focuses on whether it is possible to use new technologies such as distributed ledger technology (DLT) in shareholder ledger maintenance systems. The article uses Estonia as an example to describe the shortcomings of shareholder ledger maintenance regulation and possible suggestions for reform and applies the principle of technology-neutrality to the subject matter to assess whether the regulation allows the adoption of new technologies, such as DLT, in ledger maintenance. The aim of the principle of technology-neutrality is to secure that the regulator does not create regulation that prefers any particular technology and discriminates against other technologies. Any regulation that is built around a pre-existing technology could suffer from preferring the use of that particular technology and consequently hinder innovation. In the article it is examined whether the ledger maintenance models used in Estonia are benefitting or suffering from the non-existence of technology-neutral technical standards for ledger maintenance and whether the differentiation of treatment of shareholder ledger administrators is justified on the basis of the principle of technology-neutrality.","PeriodicalId":38294,"journal":{"name":"Masaryk University Journal of Law and Technology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48613319","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In recent decades land registration systems operating in Europe and worldwide have been subject to modernisation processes consisting in implementation of information and communication technologies. Such reforms have gradually led to facilitating access to land information, improving effectiveness of land registration proceedings and even introducing possibilities to dispose of the ownership of land electronically by developing electronic conveyancing mechanisms. Another innovative concept much discussed nowadays is the application of blockchain technology in the land registration sector. This solution is currently being tested in a number of countries.Distributed ledger technology underlying blockchain is expected to revolutionise land registration by offering a secure architecture to store land transactions with the use of cryptographic protocol. This shall bring advantages of increased trust and processing efficiency as well as reduction of costs. However, the above idea raises concerns given that, under the assumptions of the “original” blockchain model, transactions are irreversible and are carried out without intermediaries, which means the lack of any external control and independent verification of the transactions to be recorded.The article examines potential benefits and risks of automatisation of land transactions as well as practical experiences of selected countries in implementing blockchain in the area of land registration. On this basis, an assessment will be made as to whether blockchain-based registration could indeed replace the existing methodology of registering rights to land.
{"title":"Blockchain-based Land Registration: Possibilities and Challenges","authors":"M. Kaczorowska","doi":"10.5817/mujlt2019-2-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5817/mujlt2019-2-8","url":null,"abstract":"In recent decades land registration systems operating in Europe and worldwide have been subject to modernisation processes consisting in implementation of information and communication technologies. Such reforms have gradually led to facilitating access to land information, improving effectiveness of land registration proceedings and even introducing possibilities to dispose of the ownership of land electronically by developing electronic conveyancing mechanisms. Another innovative concept much discussed nowadays is the application of blockchain technology in the land registration sector. This solution is currently being tested in a number of countries.Distributed ledger technology underlying blockchain is expected to revolutionise land registration by offering a secure architecture to store land transactions with the use of cryptographic protocol. This shall bring advantages of increased trust and processing efficiency as well as reduction of costs. However, the above idea raises concerns given that, under the assumptions of the “original” blockchain model, transactions are irreversible and are carried out without intermediaries, which means the lack of any external control and independent verification of the transactions to be recorded.The article examines potential benefits and risks of automatisation of land transactions as well as practical experiences of selected countries in implementing blockchain in the area of land registration. On this basis, an assessment will be made as to whether blockchain-based registration could indeed replace the existing methodology of registering rights to land.","PeriodicalId":38294,"journal":{"name":"Masaryk University Journal of Law and Technology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46200682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}