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27 March 2026
Issue: 8155 / Categories: Legal News , Dispute resolution , Artificial intelligence
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NLJ this week: Reviewing the rules on liability for AI harms

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Is AI a help or a potential risk? What do lawyers need to consider regarding their use of AI? How do they evidence the extent and scope of its use in their work?

In this week’s NLJ, Ruth Pratt, professional support lawyer, dispute resolution, LexisNexis, considers the main points raised by two recent consultation documents.

First, the UK Jurisdiction Taskforce (UKJT) draft legal statement on liability for AI harms considers the circumstances in which English common law will impose liability for loss that results from the use of AI.

Second, the Civil Justice Council (CJC) consultation on using AI in the preparation of court documents addresses the situation where a legal representative must put their name to a document produced in court, for example, statements of case. Are the existing duties owed by legal professionals to the court sufficient? Should legal professionals be required to make an ‘AI use’ declaration?

Pratt writes: ‘Given the escalation of use of AI, and the rapid nature of its development, lawyers may wish to take a cautious approach. Protecting your own and your client’s contractual position on the use of AI is paramount.’ 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Partner joins commercial property team in Taunton office

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Londstanding London firm appoints new senior partner

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Commercial team in London welcomes technology specialist as partner

NEWS
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Disputing parties are expected to take part in alternative dispute resolution (ADR), where this is suitable for their case. At what point, however, does refusing to participate cross the threshold of ‘unreasonable’ and attract adverse costs consequences?
When it comes to free legal advice, demand massively outweighs supply. 'Millions of people are excluded from access to justice as they don’t have anywhere to turn for free advice—or don’t know that they can ask for help,' Bhavini Bhatt, development director at the Access to Justice Foundation, writes in this week's NLJ
When an ex-couple is deciding who gets what in the divorce or civil partnership dissolution, when is it appropriate for a third party to intervene? David Burrows, NLJ columnist and solicitor advocate, considers this thorny issue in this week’s NLJ
NLJ's latest Charities Appeals Supplement has been published in this week’s issue
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