UJGUQJ Research Based Legal Opinion Course work Assessment Brief 2025

UJGUQJ Module Learning Outcomes:

• MO1 A critical understanding of the legal principles and concepts relating to the use of information technology
• MO2 A critical understanding of how different  legal systems approach the regulation of information technology and   the relationship between those systems and the international legal framework
• MO3 A critical understanding of how different  legal systems approach the regulation of information technology   and the relationship between those systems and the international legalframe work
• MO4 An ability to anticipate and critically evaluate the possible legal solutions to complex legal issues created by innovative uses of information technology

Instructions

• The title of the assessment: Research Based Legal Opinion, and the question numberattempted
• This is an individual assessment, not group work

UJGUQJ Case Scenario:

The assessment is a research-based legal opinion. You are provided with a set offacts  below.  Read   the   facts   carefully.  You   are  expected   to   analyse   these   facts,identify  the  legal  issues,  and   develop  your  legal  opinion.  Once  you   identify the issues, utilise law, case law, legal commentary, and academic literature to develop your arguments.  There are two separate clients in the questions. You can choose any one(1) and write a 2500-word legal opinion. Ensure you provide proper citations wherever necessary. You do not need to provide a bibliography.

Facts:

The Government of the United Kingdom has embraced a digital-first strategy to streamlinethe integration of various government services, businesses, and other sectors. As part ofthis initiative, the government has launched a national digital ID system known as UK-ID. 

This ID grants citizens access to a wide array of services, including government, banking,internet,   healthcare,   education,   and   local   council   resources   throughout   the   UK.   Itprocesses personal data to provide these services. 

Building on this framework, the government plans to introduce UK-Assist, an AI-powered personal  assistant   designed  to   be   a  comprehensive,   one-stop   solution  for   users.  UK-Assist   will   utilise   the  UK-ID   data  alongside   an  individual’s  digital   footprint  to   managevarious tasks. 

It will have the capability to file taxes, apply for or renew passports, and schedule regularGP appointments and prescriptions.As the AI assistant accesses digital footprints, it can also handle tasks such as orderinggroceries, engaging on social media platforms, and booking holidays. 

In essence, everycitizen will benefit from a personal assistant that takes care of everyday administrative tasks, allowing them to free up valuable time for more creative pursuits.

The AI tool is designed to learn on the job; while the initial application is uniform for allusers, it will self-evolve through the processing of different data, enabling it to perform avariety of personalised tasks for each individual.

John Smith, a resident of Bristol, has been utilising the UK-ID to access local governmentservices, banking, and healthcare. Recently, he used his daughter Jane’s UK-ID to enrolher   in   a   secondary   school.   Since   the   announcement   of   UK-Assist,   John   has   beenconsidering using the service but has not yet downloaded the AI application. He is unsureabout the risks that this AI-application might have.

Last month, he and his daughter received their medications pre-delivered to their homefrom   the   pharmacy.   This   greatly   surprised   him,   as   he   typically   needed   to   visit   thepharmacy to collect them. Last week, he received an email reminding him to apply for therenewal of his passport. His passport is set to expire next month.

John is suspicious that their data may have been processed under the UK-Assist scheme.He is worried about the handling of his and Jane’s data. Today, Jane refused to eat dinnerand mentioned wanting to go on a diet following the advice from an online platform. Thisraised concerns for John, as he realised that his 13-year-old daughter was being exposedto targeted content from a well-known social media company in the UK. This diet plancould potentially increase the risk of anorexia among children. John is unsure on how todeal with such internet risks. The three main broad areas of concern are clear from thesefacts, (1) data processing, (2) online harm, and (3) risks associated with AI.

You have been approached to provide legal advice. [NB – Pick any one question foryour   assessment.   Ensure   that   you   indicate   the   question   number   in   yoursubmission]

Question 1 

What legal issues can you identify that affect John in this situation? Developyour legal opinion through explaining the issues, discussing the rights that John has, andthe grounds (if any) for legal actions or complaints. Substantiate your opinion with legalreasoning and evidence.

Question 2 

What legal issues can you identify that affect Jane in this situation? Developyour legal opinion through explaining the issues, discussing the rights that Jane has, andthe grounds (if any) for legal actions or complaints. Substantiate your opinion with legalreasoning and evidence.

While drafting your opinion, you should clearly lay-out how your legal opinion isdependent on the facts provided. Only those legal issues that have been developedon the facts will be marked.