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NLJ this week: Bridging the justice tech divide

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In this week's NLJ, Emily Carter and Sahil Kher of Kingsley Napley reflect on the Ayinde case and the broader implications of AI in frontline legal services. The authors argue that while AI offers transformative potential for under-resourced law centres, it also deepens the divide between well-funded firms and those on the frontline

Challenges include affordability, training, data governance, and regulatory uncertainty. Despite government enthusiasm for innovation, current guidance is patchy and often ill-suited to the realities of legal aid providers.

The authors call for targeted support, inclusive regulation, and sector-wide collaboration to ensure AI enhances rather than undermines access to justice. The message is clear: AI must be a tool, not a threat, and human oversight remains essential.

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
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
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
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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
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