Protecting individuals’ rights to ‘bodily integrity’ in the metaverse

The School of Law is pleased to announce the publication of a new article, "Trespass to the ‘Person’ in the Metaverse”, in the International Review of Law, Computers and Technology.

The article is co-authored by School of Law colleagues Professor Alex Nicholson and Ms Alannah Collins, alongside Dr Kingsley Udofa from the Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice.

The authors explore whether traditional tort law – specifically the ‘trespass to the person’ torts – can be applied to interactions in the metaverse, a virtual space where people engage through their avatars. They argue that as digital environments become more ‘real’, the case for treating them differently under the law becomes weaker.

Alex Nicholson is Professor of Legal Education, and Alannah Collins is a Student Success Tutor within the School. Together, they have written this article specifically with a student audience in mind, as novel legal questions like these provide a unique opportunity for critical thinking.

Unlike more established areas of law, where extensive literature and competing perspectives can make it harder for students to develop their own views, emerging issues like this invite open debate. Everyone has an opinion, those opinions are valid, and the lack of entrenched scholarship creates space for students to engage critically and explore ideas with confidence.

Professor Alex Nicholson highlighted the importance of this approach:

We hope this article not only contributes to legal scholarship but also sparks curiosity and debate among students. Engaging with emerging legal challenges like this is a powerful way to develop critical thinking and prepare for the future of law.

The School of Law congratulates Professor Alex Nicholson, Ms Collins, and Dr Udofa on their publication and their contribution to contemporary legal scholarship.

Prof Nicholson is a member of Legal Professions Research Group, and both he and Ms Collins are members of the Centre for Innovation and Research in Legal Education.

They can be found on LinkedIn: Professor Nicholson, Ms Collins, and Dr Udofa.