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22 January 2025
Issue: 8101 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Legal services , Artificial intelligence
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Survey highlights advantages of human contact in legal services

More than three-quarters (78%) of UK adults who have used a solicitor in the past five years had a positive experience, according to Law Society research.

The survey, conducted by YouGov this month on more than 2,500 adults, highlighted the advantages of human contact. While 59% said their experience would be enhanced by being able to access their legal matter on an app or online platform, 70% would not feel confident using online legal services without a lawyer’s guidance.

The public also showed reluctance to rely on artificial intelligence (AI) instead of a professional lawyer—77% said they do not trust AI to provide legal advice.

Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society, said: ‘Our profession honours tradition yet it is open to innovative solutions that address the issues we face.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Maryam Syed KC, Church Court Chambers

NLJ Career Profile: Maryam Syed KC, Church Court Chambers

From childhood dreams of the Bar to some of the country's most challenging cases, Maryam Syed KC explains why she has never stopped standing up for others

DAC Beachcroft—Richard Breavington, Rachel Ford & Daniel Guilfoyle

DAC Beachcroft—Richard Breavington, Rachel Ford & Daniel Guilfoyle

DAC Beachcroft significantly expands Cyber team, hiring three Cyber partners

Browne Jacobson—Professor Clive Kay

Browne Jacobson—Professor Clive Kay

Browne Jacobson appoints senior healthcare leader Professor Clive Kay as strategic adviser

NEWS
As family justice moves further away from the courtroom, collaborative law is emerging as an increasingly important route to resolving separation disputes
A busy period for employment law is producing important lessons for employers, employees and tribunals alike
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

How forcefully can a litigant criticise a public authority before robust advocacy crosses the line into unreasonable conduct? 
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