CITIC

The CITIC Foundation and the Bar Association of A Coruña sign an agreement to promote technological innovation in the legal field

06/10/2025 - CITIC
  • The collaboration will enable the development of research projects, training initiatives, professional exchange programmes, and joint technological innovation initiatives within the legal sector.
  • As part of this agreement, ICACOR will participate in the XoveTIC Congress, to be held on 9 and 10 October, by presenting an award for an outstanding project in the field of legal technology.

A Coruña, 7 October 2025.– The Fundación Centro de Investigación en Tecnoloxías da Información e as Comunicacións de Galicia (CITIC Foundation) and the Ilustre Colegio Provincial de Abogados de A Coruña (ICACOR) have signed a collaboration agreement aimed at strengthening the links between the legal and technological sectors, fostering research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) in the field of Information and Communication Technologies.

Antonio Rojo Álvarez, Managing Director of the CITIC Foundation of Galicia, and Augusto Pérez Cepeda-Vila, Dean of ICACOR, formalised the agreement at an event also attended by Manuel G. Penedo, Director of CITIC, and Vera Iglesias representing the CITIC Foundation.

This agreement establishes a cooperation framework that will facilitate the implementation of joint initiatives focused on training, knowledge transfer, and mutual advisory services between both institutions. The collaboration will be reflected in activities such as participation in research projects, the organisation of training events, temporary professional exchanges, and the development of joint programmes in technological innovation applied to the legal sector.

As one of the first actions under this agreement, ICACOR will take part in the XoveTIC Congress, organised by CITIC at the University of A Coruña, by presenting an award for the most relevant work in the ethical-legal field, thus promoting the connection between academic research and the real-world needs of legal practice in the digital era.

“This agreement represents a valuable opportunity to bring the legal and technological worlds closer together, and to explore new pathways for innovation, training, and knowledge transfer. We firmly believe in the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and are convinced that this partnership will mark the beginning of enriching projects for both institutions and for Galician society as a whole,” stated Antonio Rojo Álvarez, Managing Director of the CITIC Foundation.

In turn, Augusto Pérez Cepeda-Vila, Dean of ICACOR, highlighted that “this agreement responds to the need to promote the proper use of information and communication technologies in the professional practice of law. Collaboration with the CITIC Foundation will enable us to remain at the forefront of technological innovation applied to the legal field and to offer our members specialised training in this strategic area.”

The agreement will initially be valid for three years, with the possibility of renewal, and will serve as a platform to develop new lines of collaboration that drive digital transformation and innovation in Galicia.

About CITIC

CITIC is a research centre that promotes excellence and advancement in applied R&D&I in the field of ICT. It was established in 2008 by the University of A Coruña. The centre’s scientific activity is structured into four main research areas: Artificial Intelligence; Data Science and Engineering; High-Performance Computing; and Intelligent Services and Networks, along with a transversal area covering all of them – Cybersecurity.

CITIC is accredited as a Centre of Excellence and a member of the CIGUS Network for the 2024–2027 period, endorsing the quality and impact of its research. The accreditation, structure, and enhancement of CITIC are co-funded by the Xunta de Galicia and 60% by the European Union under the ERDF Galicia 2021–2027 Operational Programme, within the thematic objective of promoting “a smarter Europe: innovative and intelligent economic transformation” (ED431G 2023/01).