A Faculty member of the Centre for Law, Technology and Society and an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law, Common Law Section, Professor Marina Pavlović’s new research project tackles an essential and timely question: What ethical responsibilities do lawyers have, not only to their clients but also to the people bound by online contracts? This issue has taken on added urgency since the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2020 decision in Uber v. Heller, which called for greater fairness and accessibility in standard form agreements.
Her fellowship will support the first study in Canada to survey Ontario lawyers about their practices in drafting such contracts. The project will examine how lawyers balance client interests, whether they adapt or replicate existing contract terms, and how emerging tools such as artificial intelligence are transforming the drafting process. As AI accelerates the production of “boilerplate” provisions, Professor Pavlović’s work will shed light on both the opportunities and the ethical risks this technology introduces.
By combining legal analysis with empirical research, this fellowship project aims to contribute to the development of professional standards while promoting fairness and justice in contract drafting in Canada. It will also advance critical conversations about the role of technology in the legal profession.
It is worth noting that Professor Pavlović It is a leading Canadian expert on consumer rights and a strong advocate for the public interest in the digital society. She has been called to provide her expertise before regulatory bodies and parliamentary committees on issues from telecommunications to air passenger rights. An award-winning educator, she has received multiple teaching and public engagement prizes.
Congratulations to Professor Marina Pavlović on this important achievement!