Today's response of the Law Society of England and Wales
to the UK government's call for evidence on the AI
Growth Lab emphasises the importance
of maintaining current legal sector
regulation when using AI tools,
including in reserved legal activities.
The Law Society is looking forward to
working with the Department for Science, Innovation
& Technology to ensure that, if a
legal services
sandbox is established, additional clarity on how AI can
be used in legal
services will uphold professional standards and
public trust.
Two-thirds of lawyers already use AI tools in their work, yet
uncertainty around the exact requirements for data
security, oversight, and
liability remains. The Law
Society highlighted that instead
of changing or introducing
new regulation, lawyers need to be provided
with clear, practical guidance on existing
rules.
For example:
- Whether client data must be anonymised when it
is being inputted into AI platforms
- Guidance on data security, storage and sharing
- Whether lawyers must always oversee AI used in
legal services
- How AI can be used by
solicitors to help carry out reserved legal
activities like court representation, conveyancing and
probate
- If AI gives incorrect or harmful legal advice, who
is held responsible: the solicitor, the firm, the
AI developer or the insurer.
Law Society CEO, Ian Jeffery, said: “AI innovation is
vital for the legal sector and already has great
momentum. The existing legal regulatory framework supports
progress. The main challenges don't stem from regulatory burdens, but
rather from uncertainty,
cost, data and skills associated with AI
adoption.
“Technological progress in the legal sector should not
expose clients or consumers to unregulated risks. Current
regulation of the profession reflects the safeguards
that Parliament deemed vital to protect clients and the
public. It ensures trust in the English and Welsh legal system
worldwide.
“The Law
Society strongly supports innovation provided it remains aligned with
professional integrity and operates in
a solid regulatory
environment. The government must work with
legal regulators and
bodies to ensure adherence to the
sector's professional
standards. Any legal regulatory changes must
include parliamentary oversight.”
Notes to editors
