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Four out of five adopt AI

25 September 2024
Issue: 8087 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Artificial intelligence , Technology
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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.

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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