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NLJ this week: Big tech for small firms

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

While large firms embrace complex platforms, smaller practices face barriers of cost, complexity and infrastructure. Taylor outlines essential criteria for inclusive AI: cloud-based access, intuitive design, fixed-fee pricing, and focused functionality.

His firm’s contract review tool aims to support—not replace—solicitor judgement, with built-in safeguards for ethics and regulation. Customisation via playbooks and checklists ensures relevance to firm-specific priorities. Without such solutions, smaller firms may struggle to compete in a market demanding speed and precision.

Taylor argues that legal tech must be democratised to avoid marginalising high-street practices and ensure AI’s benefits are shared across the profession.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

Nikki Bowker, head of dispute resolution at Devonshires, on career resilience, diversity in law and channelling Elle Woods when the pressure is on

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Leasehold enfranchisement specialist joins residential property team

DWF—Chris Air

DWF—Chris Air

Firm strengthens commercial team in Manchester with partner appointment

NEWS
The government will aim to pass legislation banning leasehold for new flats and capping ground rent, introducing non-compulsory digital ID and creating a ‘duty of candour’ for public servants (also known as the Hillsborough law) in the next Parliament

An Italian financier has lost his bid to block his Australian wife from filing divorce papers in England on the basis it was no longer her domicile of choice

Reforms to the disclosure regime in the business and property courts have not achieved their objectives, lawyers have warned
The Law Society has urged ministers to hold a public consultation on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the justice system as a whole
Ministers have proposed bringing inquest work under a single fee scheme for legal help and advocacy legal aid work
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