The Foundation and Expansion of Digital Law Research in China(2018-2023)
Against the dual backdrop of rapid global digital technology development and continuous improvements in modern rule of law,the study of digital law has become a critical component of global legal research,with many countries engaging in profound academic discussions on the relationship between artificial intelligence and law.In terms of research intensity,personnel scale,and output of achievements,digital law has been a focal point of Chinese legal research in recent years,and reform the existing laws from basic categories,foundational theories,judicial practices,and disciplinary construction.Theoretically,digital law proposes and constructs new issues,concepts,values,and methods in jurisprudence from the perspectives of legal theory and department law.Reflecting on the concept and value of law in traditional jurisprudence,this study proposes and substantiates notions such as digital rule of law,digital justice,digital human rights,and digital society,etc.It believes that traditional law based on the construction of physical society is no longer suited to the realities of digital society's development,necessitating a future transformation of legal theory.In practice,digital law adheres to the requirements of constructing"new liberal arts,"placing great emphasis on the application of digital technology throughout the entire process of law operation and striving to establish an emerging interdisciplinary field.Among these efforts,research on the construction of intelligent justice and courts has organically integrated law,computer science,psychology,and statistics,garnering a degree of international influence.The current characteristics of digital law research in China can be summarized as the interdisciplinary nature of theory,the innovativeness of content,the intersectionality of methods,and the internationality of perspective.However,there are also two shortcomings:criticism of"creating academic bubbles"due to neglecting the foundations and categories of legal theory,and the need for deeper integration of the discourse systems of various disciplines in interdisciplinary research.China's current digital law research exhibits a distinct"three-stage"progression.The first stage focuses on technology and methods,emphasizing the application of digital technology in the legal field.The second stage centers on objects and content,studying legal issues arising from technological development and application.The third stage treats digital law as a foundation and paradigm,employing it to supersede the internal logic,legal relationships,and legal values of modern law.From the perspective of research depth,these three stages progress incrementally,with their associated content continuously enriched.To facilitate stage advancement,we should continue to prioritize research on fundamental legal issues to achieve scientific innovation,identify new problems and countermeasures in digital law from a practical standpoint,and consider both legislative and judicial perspectives in digital law research.
New liberal artsDigital lawDigital rule of lawDigital human rightsData rights