Law Society Announces New Guide on Safe AI Adoption

Created: 24 April 2026

The Law Society of England and Wales recently announced a new practical guide to help solicitors navigate the increasingly complex world of legal technology. At its core, the guidance prioritised a clear message. While artificial intelligence (AI) offers significant opportunities for efficiency and innovation, adopting it without adequate safeguards could expose legal businesses to serious operational, ethical, and regulatory risks.

The growing role of AI in legal practice

AI is no longer an emerging tool in the legal industry. A growing number of solicitors and businesses now rely on it for daily activities, from drafting contracts and reviewing disclosure materials to even assisting with legal research. These tools can dramatically reduce time spent on repetitive work, enabling legal professionals to focus on higher-value activities.

However, this significant acceleration in new technology has, in many cases, outpaced the development of stringent and reliable internal controls. The Law Society’s guide recognises that while AI can enhance productivity, it also creates new vulnerabilities that companies must actively manage.

Key risks: accuracy, bias, and data protection

One of the biggest concerns highlighted in the guidance is the reliability of AI-generated outputs. AI systems can produce convincing but incorrect or misleading information, often referred to as “hallucinations.” In a legal context, where precision is critical, such inaccuracies can have serious consequences for clients and firms alike.

Data protection is another major risk area. Legal work frequently involves handling highly sensitive and confidential information. Using AI tools, particularly those hosted externally, can increase the risk of data breaches or misuse if proper safeguards are not in place. Firms must ensure compliance with UK data protection laws and carefully assess how and where client data is processed. The issue of embedded bias in AI systems is also emphasised. AI models are trained on large datasets, which may contain historical biases. If left unchecked, these biases can influence outputs in ways that are unfair or discriminatory, potentially undermining both legal outcomes and professional integrity.

Human oversight remains essential

A central theme running through the guide is that AI should support, not replace, professional judgment. Human oversight is not a one-off requirement but an ongoing responsibility. Solicitors must critically assess AI outputs, verify their accuracy, and ensure that decisions remain grounded in legal expertise. This reinforces a broader principle that accountability cannot be outsourced to technology. Regardless of how advanced AI becomes, solicitors remain responsible for the advice they provide and the work they deliver.

A structured approach to adopting legal technology

To help firms manage these challenges, the guide sets out a clear, practical framework for adopting new technology safely and effectively. This includes:

-Identifying business needs: Understanding what problem the technology is intended to solve, rather than adopting AI for its own sake. -Selecting appropriate tools: Evaluating different types of technology based on functionality, risk profile, and compatibility with existing systems. -Developing a clear brief: Defining requirements in detail to guide procurement and implementation. -Exploring suppliers: Conducting due diligence on vendors, including their security practices and reliability. -Negotiating contracts: Ensuring agreements address key issues such as data protection, liability, and service levels. -Embedding the technology: Integrating tools into workflows with proper training and internal policies. -Ongoing evaluation: Regularly reviewing performance, risks, and outcomes to ensure continued suitability.

This structured approach is designed to move firms away from ad hoc adoption and towards a more strategic, risk-aware model.

Leadership perspective

Industry professionals have recently emphasised the importance of balanced adoption. While technology can unlock significant benefits, freeing up time for innovation and higher-level thinking, the risks of poor implementation are equally substantial. It reflects a broader shift within the legal profession, that technology is no longer optional, but neither is careful governance.

This new guidance signals a maturing approach to AI within the legal sector. Rather than focusing solely on what technology can do, the emphasis is now on how it should be used responsibly and professionally.