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27 June 2025 / Clare Hughes-Williams , Sam Kneebone
Issue: 8122 / Categories: Features , Profession , Artificial intelligence , Technology , Legal services , Risk management
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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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