The revolutionary and transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) is only beginning to be understood; both its utility and the accompanying challenges. The legal sector has not been the most tech-forward, often lagging behind other sectors. However, over the last twelve months, the importance of addressing this ‘vanguard of change’ has become apparent to legal bodies, from the Law Gazette to HM Judiciary, who have in turn issued guidance on the matter.
Earlier this year, the Law Society of England and Wales published their AI strategy. This follows similar guidance published by the Bar Council at the beginning of the year. The Bar Council affirmed that there was nothing inherently improper about using AI, rather that its use. The potential risks that come with it must be tackled with adequate regulation and safeguarding. This is done to ensure that individual practitioners use this technology with the necessary knowledge and responsibility.
In their strategy, the Law Society, which acts as a representative body for solicitors in England and Wales, emphasised three main long-term goals. Firstly, they stress the need to ensure that the legal sector continues to innovate alongside AI. Both firms and clients must benefit from technological advancement in legal service delivery. Secondly, they emphasise the need for proper AI regulation and a healthy regulatory landscape that is under constant review and influenced by the legal sector. Lastly, the Law Society recognises the need for integrity. Without responsible and ethical use of AI, informed by access to justice and the rule of law, the legal sector could face, perhaps existential, questions.
The need for regulation is widely agreed upon within the legal profession. In the 2024 Future of Professionals report, published by Thomas Reuters, more than two-thirds of lawyers believe that professional legal bodies, such as the Law Society or the Bar Council, must be responsible for the use of AI in the sector. 18% however, emphasised the role government should play in regulation.
Led by these three aims, ‘innovation’, ‘impact, and, ‘integrity’, the Law Society hopes to ensure that the legal profession remains an authoritative voice on AI that not only impacts the profession but also the UK economy.
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