Legal Reinterpretation of Smart Contract Validity Determination and the Evolution of Lawyer Functions

Abstract

In the era of digital economy, smart contracts have been widely applied in finance, commerce, and other fields due to the efficiency and automation features of blockchain technology. However, their coded and decentralized technical characteristics pose a substantial challenge to traditional contract validity theories. This paper investigates the compatibility issues between smart contracts and the legal system, analyzing their impact on traditional contract validity theories from three perspectives: the theory of declaration of intent, performance correction mechanisms, and the framework of liability subjects. Building on this analysis, the study focuses on the adaptive transformation of lawyer functions, proposing the establishment of a dual-track safeguard mechanism called 'intent anchoring-relief reservation' during the contract design phase. In dispute resolution, lawyers should transition into "full-cycle relief strategy designers" while in liability determination, they must construct a causal chain proof system that translates from code behavior to legal qualification. Through the synergy of technical governance and legal reinterpretation, this approach aims to balance technical rationality and contractual justice, providing theoretical support and practical pathways for the innovation of contract systems in the digital economy.