Lawyers are embracing the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI), with many rethinking their billing practices as a result, research by LexisNexis has shown
According to the report, ‘Need for speedier legal services sees AI adoption accelerate’, published this week, most lawyers (82%) have either adopted generative AI (41%) or have plans in motion (41%)—nearly four times the number recorded in a previous LexisNexis survey in Summer 2023.
When asked why they would use AI, lawyers highlighted the benefit of being able to deliver work faster, improve client service and gain competitive advantage.
AI is also having a material effect on pricing structures—39% of private practice lawyers expect their firm to adjust billing practices due to AI, up from 18% in January 2024. However, only 17% think AI will end the billable hour model, while 40% believe it will remain and 42% are uncertain about its impact.
Despite adoption rates, 76% of UK legal professionals are concerned about inaccurate or fabricated information from public-access generative AI platforms. However, 72% said they would feel more confident using a generative AI tool grounded in legal content sources with linked citations to verifiable authorities, up from 65% in January 2024.
Stuart Greenhill, senior director of segment management at LexisNexis UK, said: ‘The possibility of delivering work faster has seen widespread adoption, internal integration, and regular use of generative AI across the legal sector.
‘There’s also a strong demand for AI tools that are grounded on reliable legal sources. Yet the impact of this efficiency on the billable hour is becoming a topic of debate. As a result, the number of firms reconsidering pricing models has doubled throughout the course of 2024.’
The LexisNexis report is based on a survey of more than 800 UK and Ireland legal professionals at firms and in-house teams.
