Is AI Blurring Legal Advice?
AI has made it easier to get legal help. You can ask a question on the web and get an immediate answer. But is this information adequate? Is it even safe? It is not always easy to tell the difference between general information and advice, and that can matter a great deal when the issue at hand involves homes, jobs, money or family.
How AI is changing access to legal information
AI tools have opened up the ways of receiving legal help. These tools can be used without first contacting a solicitor and without incurring any expense, which can feel less daunting. They can be used 24/7 and provide users with basic information about legal terms and a rough idea of where they stand. For many users this is better than what was previously available.
The answers aren’t personalised to you, even when they seem to be. The AI tool only knows what you have told it. It doesn’t necessarily ask all of the questions a lawyer would. And it can say something with confidence that is out of date, doesn’t apply to your part of the UK or is simply wrong.
The difference between legal information and legal advice
Legal information explains how the law applies generally. Legal advice is specific to a situation and will apply the law to your circumstances to give you instructions on what to do next. AI technology blurs that line because it answers specific questions with answers that seem to be written especially for you, yet there is no one accountable for the answer.
IBM explores the key dangers of AI to look out for.
How legal services are regulated
In England and Wales, the Legal Services Act 2007 sets out a small number of reserved legal activities, such as conducting court cases and some property and probate work, which only authorised and regulated people can carry out. General legal advice is not reserved. That means anyone can offer it, including an AI tool, and they may not be regulated at all.
Note that regulated lawyers have lots of protections around them (standards of conduct, insurance, a route to complain etc.). You may not have the same when relying on information from an unregulated source (including an AI tool) that subsequently turns out to be wrong.
The role of professionals
Regulators and the profession are paying growing attention to how AI should be used. Many law firms now use AI themselves to speed up research and document work, with a qualified person checking the result. You might still need input from a London law firm like https://www.forsters.co.uk/ when things get serious. AI can help, but it does not replace proper oversight.
Risks and benefits for users
| Benefits | Risks |
|---|---|
| Quick, free answers at any time | Answers may be wrong, out of date or for the wrong jurisdiction |
| Helps you understand terms and options | No one is accountable if the answer is wrong |
| Can help you prepare questions for a lawyer | Can miss facts that change the whole picture |
| Less daunting first step | Sharing personal details may raise privacy concerns |
Using AI sensibly for legal questions
- Use it to understand the basics and the language, not to make the final decision.
- Check that the answer applies to the right country, as law in Scotland and Northern Ireland differs from England and Wales.
- Be careful about entering sensitive personal or business information.
- Note down the questions it raises and take them to a qualified adviser.
- Get professional advice before signing anything, going to court or missing a deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rely on an AI answer to a legal question?
Such information may help you understand the issue and prepare, but please note that this is just a starting point. If the outcome matters, your legal issues and circumstances need to be specifically discussed with a qualified and regulated adviser who can refer to the relevant documents and provide advice before you act on it.
Where can I get affordable legal advice?
You can get advice from Citizens Advice or a law centre. Some people have legal expenses cover included with their home or car insurance. Trade union legal services, or for some cases legal aid, may be available to you. Many solicitors offer a short fixed-fee first appointment, which is a good way to find out whether you need further help.
AI is clearly useful for quick answers and for easy access to information. But it is a first port of call, not a final answer.
For another area where professional advice matters, see our guide on why you shouldn’t delay registering a power of attorney.
