TechLaw.Fest, Asia’s leading law and technology conference, will return on 10 and 11 September at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore. The 10th edition will run under the theme “Redefining Legal in the Digital Age” and is co-organised by the Singapore Academy of Law (SAL) and the Ministry of Law.
The milestone event will bring together more than 150 international speakers and over 2,000 participants from more than 40 countries. It will explore how technology continues to reshape the legal profession, demanding greater adaptability, innovation, and resilience.
Keynotes on the future of law and data protection
Two headline keynote addresses will anchor this year’s programme. Singapore’s Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon will deliver a keynote titled “Reimagining Law and Technology”, setting out a framework for upholding the rule of law in the digital age. He will highlight how courts can use technology to improve access to justice, how legal technology is reshaping practice, and how laws must adapt to emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, while safeguarding fairness and accountability.
The second keynote will be delivered by UK Information Commissioner John Edwards. His session, “Trust as Infrastructure: Can Regulation Be the Foundation for Responsible Innovation?”, will examine how regulation can underpin a trusted digital economy. Drawing from global experiences, he will address data protection trends including artificial intelligence, biometrics, children’s privacy, and cybersecurity, and propose trust as a driver for responsible innovation.
Topics shaping the digital legal landscape
The two-day event will spotlight pressing issues and future trends in the sector. Sessions will cover online safety and the balance between privacy, freedom of expression, and regulation; the implications of quantum computing for governance and security; and the role of data centres and digital infrastructure in Asia’s economy.
Other highlights include discussions on whether the traditional billable hour remains relevant in an age of AI-driven efficiency, and how automation is transforming legal workforces. Panels will also explore the rise of new roles such as legal engineers and data scientists, alongside shifting firm structures and compliance needs.
“TechLaw.Fest was conceptualised on the belief that law must evolve alongside technology – over the past decade, we’ve seen that this belief has increasingly taken root across the global legal profession,” said Yeong Zee Kin, Chief Executive of the Singapore Academy of Law.
He added, “Shaping the future of law in the digital age requires thoughtful governance, strong cross-sector collaboration, and sustained innovation. As we harness the transformative potential of emerging technologies, TechLaw.Fest 2025 continues to serve as a vital platform for legal professionals, technologists, and policymakers to co-create a trusted, agile, and inclusive legal ecosystem — one that drives practice-ready innovation and positions Singapore law at the forefront of global legal discourse.”
Launch of e-Apostille for cross-border legalisation
Alongside the conference, SAL has introduced the e-Apostille, a digital service leveraging World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Verifiable Credentials standards, in partnership with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). Since June, the e-Apostille has been available for documents issued by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), including Business Profiles and Certificates of Incorporation.
By the end of 2025, the service will expand to cover all notarised documents, streamlining cross-border transactions with faster turnaround times and reduced administrative steps. Requests can be made online, and authenticity verified through the SAL Legalisation Portal.
“We’re excited to take this next step in transforming legalisation of documents to support cross-border transactions. We saw good take-up of our pilot efforts. The ramp up of the e-Apostille reflects our commitment to harnessing trusted digital standards to make legal processes faster, more secure, and more user-friendly. This is just the beginning — we look forward to setting new benchmarks for digital legal innovation,” Yeong said.
The event will also feature an exhibition hall, with leading innovators showcasing cutting-edge legal technology. A UK Pavilion will highlight developments from Britain, while the TechTalk Stage and Tech Byte sessions will provide opportunities for interactive engagement on emerging tools and trends.
