Moreover, 62% of solicitors anticipate an increase in use of AI in the next 12 months. In terms of where AI is used, 36% use it for document drafting and automation, 29% for contract review and analysis, 24% for general non-legal activities, 20% for e-discovery and 17% legal research.
The research, commissioned by tech company Clio for its latest ‘Legal trends report’, published this week, also highlighted a swing towards fixed-fee rather than hourly billing. Some 54% of solicitors surveyed expect this trend to continue due to client expectations and more focus on efficiency.
Clio CEO Jack Newton said: ‘AI might finally be the death knell for the billable hour. Fixed fee billing, which many law firms are already embracing, may become even more common as AI further automates workflows and reduces reliance on hourly billing.’
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