Publication
Navigating the IPO
Taking your company public is an important milestone, and whilst the landscape for IPOs is complex and dynamic, choosing the right path is essential.
Blockchain law: Can there be law without people?
New York Law Journal
Two seemingly unrelated recent developments in the world of blockchain are now posing the same odd question: Can there be law without people?
Blockchain technology has enabled a world of “smart contracts”—programs stored on the blockchain that automatically run and carry out predetermined tasks when predetermined conditions are met. These smart contracts are often integrated with so-called decentralized autonomous organization (DAOs), loose groups of tokenholders who effectuate decision making through software protocols.
Can DAOs, natural persons or other legal entities be held legally responsible when outcomes that are caused or enabled by those “smart contracts” are ones that society seeks to prevent and hold unlawful? Or is no one legally responsible, so that whatever these “smart contracts” might do is simply beyond the power of the institution of the law to remedy or prevent?
Robert A. Schwinger explores recent developments in this edition of his New York Law Journal Blockchain law column.
Download the full New York Law Journal article, "Can there be law without people?"
Partner
Email
robert.schwinger@nortonrosefulbright.com
Recent publications
Publication
Popularity of deal insurance set to soar
Now in its third year, our Global M&A Trends and Risks report, published in partnership with Mergermarket, captures insights from senior dealmakers across the world on the key risks and opportunities shaping mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deal activity in 2025.
Subscribe and stay up to date with the latest legal news, information and events . . .