Prof. Dr. Weber, why is C.H.BECK launching a new conference format with legalXchange at this particular moment?

New data models, new providers, new work processes – artificial intelligence is already changing the day-to-day practice of law. On the one hand, I see this as a great opportunities: routine tasks can be handled more efficiently with the help of AI, research becomes faster and access to justice can be broadened. On the other hand, AI can never replace a judicial decision or the personal advisory relationship between lawyer and client. That is very important to me – responsibility must always remain with a human being. New technologies can provide support and create greater freedom for legal professionals. In fact, the quality of legal practice may even improve. AI can help capture and analyse all factual and legal aspects quickly, comprehensively and without gaps. This can help reach sound advice or correct decisions more quickly.

We do not want to simply observe this development, we want to actively accompany it and help shape it to some extent. That is why now is the right time for a forum where these developments can be discussed objectively and in depth.

What gap does this format aim to fill?

There are already a number of legal tech events, but they often remain either very technical or rather general. Our ambition is different: we want to present concrete use cases while also addressing strategic questions. How can technology be implemented responsibly? How do organisations change? What new skills are required?
As a legal publisher and provider of a legal database for decades, we are particularly well positioned to do this. We have the longest experience in the market, understand the needs of our customers and can build on the expertise of our authors. legalXchange is therefore aimed at everyone who does not just want to talk about digitalisation, but wants to implement it in practice – in law firms, companies, the judiciary and public administration. Our focus is on realism, not on visions for their own sake.

What distinguishes legalXchange from existing legal tech events?

Its distinctive feature lies in its partner structure. With the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, C.H.BECK, the Legal Tech Association, the Liquid Legal Institute and the Legal Tech Colab, five leading institutions with excellence, innovative strength and deep industry understanding come together. They combine very different areas of expertise – governmental, academic, entrepreneurial and publishing.
This combination creates a different level of depth. The focus is not on product presentations, but on the question of how the legal market as a whole must position itself in order to remain technologically sovereign.

Which target groups do you specifically want to bring together – and why is this exchange so important?

legalXchange is intended to be a meeting point for everyone who wants to improve legal processes through digital solutions. This includes law firms, in-house counsel, legal tech start-ups, established software providers – and indeed also our competitors. We see the event as a platform for exchange, networking and practical inspiration.

This exchange is important to us for several reasons. Firstly, it helps build a sustainable network between law firms, companies, the judiciary and universities. Secondly, it contributes to establishing a legal tech community that is regionally rooted but internationally minded. Thirdly, it opens up new perspectives and career paths for young legal professionals, for example through special formats for students and young professionals.

What strategic objectives is C.H.BECK pursuing with this initiative?

Our goals are quite ambitious: we want to establish the new signature event for digital transformation in the German-speaking world with international reach. Above all, however, we want to provide momentum for digital transformation – in law firms, in companies, in the judiciary and in public administration.

How does the event fit into C.H.BECK’s overall strategy – and does it also change the role of the publisher in the legal market?

During our internal strategy process we arrived at an interesting insight. It could perhaps be summarised as follows: everything must change so that everything can remain as it is. In the future, we will no longer be just a publishing house. Our goal is to become a company that offers technological solutions for the entire legal market on the basis of its comprehensive content – including AI. Content therefore remains our foundation. But new applications and new forms of use will emerge on this basis. And we intend to set the standards in this field.

How will you measure the success of legalXchange?

Quite simply: by the response from the market and by the feedback we receive. With this format, we genuinely want to make a difference. If we succeed in sparking new discussions, bringing people together and encouraging tangible developments in the market, then we will have achieved our goal.