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24 April 2026
Issue: 8158 / Categories: Legal News , Training & education , Artificial intelligence , Technology , Career focus , Profession
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NLJ this week: AI skills gap exposed in solicitor exams

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping day-to-day legal work, but are qualification rules lagging behind? In NLJ this week, Dr Alan Ma of Birmingham City University argues the SQE ignores a crucial modern skill: ‘digital judgement’ 

While AI is now ‘operational’ in legal practice, the exam remains technology-neutral, failing to test risks like ‘fabricated authority’ or misuse of client data. Core duties—competence, confidentiality, supervision and integrity—are increasingly shaped by AI tools, demanding scepticism and verification.

Without formal assessment, firms shoulder the burden of training, risking uneven standards.

Ma calls for reform to embed AI awareness so solicitors can interrogate outputs, not just produce them. 

Issue: 8158 / Categories: Legal News , Training & education , Artificial intelligence , Technology , Career focus , Profession
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