Print article
Author
Author
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is currently one of the hot topic buzzwords in the legal field. Almost every firm is using it in some way and it’s something clients are increasingly looking for firms to use. Clients view it as a way to reduce the hours lawyers will spend on their matters and therefore lead to a reduction in fees. Firms are adopting it to streamline processes and speed up services for clients. However, how it is being used from firm to firm, and lawyer to lawyer, is still evolving. There isn’t one set method for how to use AI and I have found myself continuously developing how I deploy it and when.
AI hasn’t replaced lawyers yet and I personally don’t see a future where it will ever do so. However, incorporating it into everyday processes to reduce costs for clients will be crucial to winning business in the future. In this article, I will set out how I am using AI as a trainee solicitor, what I have found to be its benefits and where there are limitations.
Research
Researching a client’s specific legal issue is often one of the most interesting parts of being a trainee solicitor. However, it can be a time-consuming process, particularly when you are new to that specific area of law. This leads to increased hours spent on matters which may not be chargeable to the client and could be better utilised on other tasks. AI can be a useful tool when researching to gain a brief overview on a subject as a starting point for your own research. It can also be helpful when interpreting particularly complex judgments.
However, it’s important to note that sources should always be checked and you should do your own assessment of the material. This is because whilst AI continues to improve, many of its answers can be incorrect. It has been known to ‘hallucinate’ (fabricate or make up) information and sources, as has been demonstrated in the case of Ayinde -v- London Borough of Haringey, and Al-Haroun -v- Qatar National Bank.
Drafting
Drafting using AI is becoming increasingly advanced. However, at this stage it cannot reliably create usable final documentation. Instead, I have found it to be a useful tool for checking spelling, rewording sentences that need greater clarity and for generating ideas for clauses I may not have considered.
AI has also improved my efficiency when drafting emails and letters. It can be used for creating initial drafts which can then be refined to make sure content is accurate and suitable for the recipients.
Crucially, however, many AI programmes are not owned by the law firms operating them. Solicitors have an obligation to protect client and confidential information. Therefore, no identifiable data should be inputted into these AI tools. This is also true for any confidential information regarding the substance of a contract, lease or any other forms of documentation.
From my experience so far, the integration of AI into the legal profession has assisted me in improving the efficiency of legal research and improving the quality of drafting. However, it has clear and fundamental limitations, such as its accuracy and confidentiality issues, and must be overseen with the correct professional oversight. In a field that is increasingly being defined by efficiency and speed as well as accuracy, I believe that AI can be a great companion for a trainee solicitor, but not a replacement.