IE Law School, Jur and the Lab for New Justice join forces to launch a ‘Smart Contract Competition’

During the competition, students are able to work hands-on in the creation of smart legal contracts and experience the entire flow of Jur’s online dispute resolution system. The competition, led by Professor Francisco de Elizalde, began on February 18 and wraps up on March 24.

During the four meetings, students of IE Law School´s undergraduate programs will take a deep dive into the main concepts and practice of dealing with ODR — Online Dispute Resolution systems — on the blockchain. Luigi Cantisani, legal engineer, and Michele D’Asaro, R&D, will lead the meetings at IE and will touch topics widely ranging from blockchain, use of smart contracts and game theory, which is the underlying framework for the Jur Beta Platform’s dispute resolution system.

Luca Daniel, CTO for Jur explained that smart legal contracts enable a more efficient and transparent relationship between parties. "In Jur, we try to bring contracts to life automating core clauses ensuring they become auditable and as self-enforceable as possible."

“The Smart contracts competition entails a unique opportunity to instill in our students the skills that lawyers will require to succeed in a highly-developed technological environment". 

The test will conclude with the preparation of an individual final report by the students in which they express opinions and feedback about the Jur Beta Platform, with a major focus on the concept, the user experience and adopted strategies, and its legal implications. Upon completion, students work will be evaluated by a panel and the best performing student will be awarded with an internship at JUR.

“The Smart contracts competition entails a unique opportunity to instill in our students the skills that lawyers will require to succeed in a highly-developed technological environment. A hands-on experience on smart contracts and blockchain technology will also enhance a normative reflection on how law and technology should interact”, explained Professor Francisco de Elizalde, Associate Professor of Comparative Private Law and Head of the EU Jean Monnet Module: “Liability of Robots”