Hack the Law brings together students, builders, academics, and practitioners to learn from each other and solve hard problems at the intersection of LLMs and law. We want the room to feel open, generous, and a little ambitious — a place where people from very different backgrounds can do their best work together. This Code sets out what that looks like in practice. Please read it before you arrive so we all start from the same expectations.
This Code covers the whole event and everything connected to it: all event spaces (the Hackathon, Research Pitch, and Conference, on site and at any related social, off-site, or accommodation activity), all event channels (our online spaces, chat groups, email threads, and social channels), and all related activities (including registration, mentor and sponsor sessions, and follow-on opportunities such as the SPARK fast-track). It applies to everyone taking part — participants, organisers, volunteers, mentors, sponsors, and guests.
Treat people well: engage openly and professionally, share ideas constructively, and give others' contributions a fair hearing even when you disagree. Make room for difference — the best work here comes from teams that think differently, so welcome diverse backgrounds and approaches and assume good faith. Build responsibly, considering the ethical and social impact of what you make. Respect others' work, honouring intellectual property and applicable laws and using only tools and materials you're authorised to use. And keep the space safe, looking after the physical and online wellbeing of those around you and following instructions from organisers and venue staff, especially during emergencies.
Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination of any kind. Personal attacks, exclusionary behaviour, or dismissing someone's ideas or approach without respectful consideration. Behaviour that disrupts the event or undermines others' ability to take part. Creating or promoting solutions intended to cause harm, or that are illegal or clearly unethical. Plagiarism, unauthorised use of intellectual property, or illegal activity. Anything that endangers others or disregards safety and emergency guidance.
The Hackathon and Research Pitch are open to current students only, at any level and from any discipline, anywhere in the world. The Conference is open to all. If you're not a current student, you're very welcome at the Conference and other open parts of the event, but you won't be eligible to compete in the Hackathon or Research Pitch.
If something feels wrong, or you see behaviour that doesn't fit this Code, please tell us.
No one who raises a genuine concern in good faith will face any disadvantage for doing so, whatever the outcome. We do ask that reports are made honestly — knowingly false or bad-faith reports undermine the trust this depends on and may themselves be treated as a breach of this Code.
Where this Code isn't followed, the organising team will decide on a fair and proportionate response, which may range from a quiet word to a warning, disqualification, removal from the event, or referral to venue security or the relevant authorities. The organising team's decisions are final and there's no separate appeals process — we'll always aim to be fair and to listen, but we need to act quickly to keep the event safe and welcoming for everyone.
Thanks for helping make Hack the Law a place where everyone can build, learn, and do their best work. See you in Cambridge.