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ArtificiaI intelligence: juggling the risks

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Artificial intelligence is a tool, not a lawyer: Clare Hughes-Williams & Sam Kneebone spell out the importance of human oversight
  • While artificial intelligence (AI) can boost efficiency and reduce human error, it lacks judgement and empathy and has been found to generate false information.
  • Misuse of AI in legal submissions has already led to court sanctions, regulatory referrals, and reputational damage in the UK and abroad.
  • Law firms should implement AI usage policies, training, and verification protocols to avoid liability and uphold professional standards.

The legal profession is sometimes regarded as archaic, but UK lawyers appear to be embracing the developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and exploring the potential benefits with some enthusiasm. There are undoubtedly benefits for law firms and their clients, but recent cases have highlighted that these developments are not without risk if they are not carefully managed.

AI is not a substitute for human lawyers but, used correctly, it has the potential to reduce the incidence of human

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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