Graduate Certificate in Law and Technology Module 10: The Metaverse and Web 3.0 (GCLT)

This module will introduce participants to the concepts of “the Metaverse” and “Web 3.0” and provide a framework for understanding how the law might evolve to deal with the challenges posed by these new technological frontiers. They will also learn how to deal with Web 3.0 and its relationship to the Metaverse.

This module is part of the Graduate Certificate in Law and Technology.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Gain a brief introduction to foundational technologies, including Blockchain (and its applications, cryptocurrencies, tokens, and Smart Contracts), Augmented and Virtual Reality;
• Understand how to apply the law in layers: law in the Metaverse, law of the Metaverse, law governing the Metaverse, and law of the location;
• Appreciate concepts such as user agreements/ terms of use, choice of law and choice of jurisdiction, and the applicability of criminal, civil, data protection and censorship laws;
• Gain an understanding of decentralised finance, the gig economy, and the democratisation of the internet;
• Learn how to critically analyse the Web 3.0 movement and craft a strategy for approaching it.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• Practicing lawyers and Legal Services Officers
• Paralegals
• Allied Legal Professionals (e.g. Legal Technologists)

PREREQUISITE

• A Bachelor's Degree; or
• A Diploma with at least 3 years of working experience.

ASSESSMENT

As part of the requirement for SkillsFuture Singapore, there will be an assessment conducted at the end of the course. The mode of assessment, which is up to the trainer’s discretion, may be an online quiz, a presentation or based on classroom exercises.

Participants are required to attain a minimum of 75% attendance and pass the associated assessment in order to receive a digital Certificate of Completion issued by Singapore Management University. 

SPEAKER

Alexander read law at the University of Cambridge on a President’s scholarship and Overseas Merit Scholarship. He subsequently obtained a Masters in International Legal Studies from Georgetown University Law Center in 2013. During his LLM year, Alexander was on the Dean’s List, graduated with Distinction, and received three CALI Awards for being the top student in three subjects.

Alexander first joined the Singapore Legal Service as a Deputy Public Prosecutor/ State Counsel with the Financial and Technology Crime Division of the Attorney-General’s Chambers. He prosecuted a wide variety of crimes including corruption, white collar crime, technology crime, maid abuse, intellectual property crime, and homicide. He has appeared in both the State Courts and High Court as lead counsel and assisted with cases in the Court of Appeal. Alexander also received specialised technology and cybercrime training as part of the AGC’s Technology Crime Unit. Notably, he led evidence before the Committee of Inquiry into the SingHealth Cyberattack in 2018.

In 2019, Alexander joined the newly formed Office of Transformation and Innovation (Judiciary) as Senior Assistant Director (now Deputy Director). In this capacity, Alexander has been at the forefront of legal innovation in Singapore, tackling issues ranging from legal strategy, policy and law reform, to promoting cultural change, and developing LegalTech products. He has taught law as an adjunct to undergraduates at the National University of Singapore and Singapore Management University, and has taken up a position as full-time Lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences.