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20 May 2026
Issue: 8162 / Categories: Legal News , Artificial intelligence , Legal services , Consumer
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Call for expansion of GOV.UK Chat tool

The Law Society has urged the government to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) tool for government services to include signposting on legal issues

GOV.UK Chat, which was added to the GOV.UK app last week, aims to allow people to ask questions in plain language about government services and get reliable answers. Rather than trawling through pages of government guidance or calling a helpline, people will be able to find immediate answers to their questions about childcare entitlements, first-home schemes or business grants.

Law Society CEO Ian Jeffery welcomed the new chat tool and suggested it be expanded to include ‘signposting to early legal guidance and experts’. This would improve the current situation, where people searching for advice online ‘may see thousands of results with no way to determine what is reliable and relevant.

‘The Law Society of England and Wales has long advocated for an NHS 111-style, government-backed AI service to connect people with the right support and help them to navigate complex legal issues.’ 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

DAC Beachcroft—Clare Dewar

DAC Beachcroft—Clare Dewar

DAC Beachcroft strengthens Scottish real estate capabilitywith partner appointment

Womble Bond Dickinson—Brendan Ryan

Womble Bond Dickinson—Brendan Ryan

Womble Bond Dickinson appoints Brendan Ryan as partner in Public Law Projects team

Parklane Plowden Chambers—five appointments

Parklane Plowden Chambers—five appointments

Parklane Plowden Chambers welcomes five new barristers

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