Why now
The regulator has raised the bar on AI.
The SRA’s warning notice says using AI “does not reduce, remove or replace the professional, regulatory or legal responsibility you have …”
Starting with law
The regulator has put the duty to check in writing.
-
The courts
“Those who use artificial intelligence to conduct legal research … have a professional duty therefore to check the accuracy of such research by reference to authoritative sources …”
Divisional Court, Ayinde v Haringey [2025] EWHC 1383 (Admin), para 7 -
The regulator
“Both free to use and paid for AI systems may pose risks to client confidentiality.”
Solicitors Regulation Authority, warning notice on AI, August 2026 -
Insurers
“…underwriters are now including questions into proposal forms… Their focus is on how AI is being applied across various practice areas, the governance policies and procedures in place, and whether staff are receiving appropriate training.”
Howden (insurance broker), solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance (PII) renewal review, May 2026
What lawyers actually do today
They use general AI anyway.
Lawyers use AI. Far fewer firms have adopted it.
Lawyers
61% of UK lawyers use generative AI at work; 49% of them rely only on general-purpose tools.
LexisNexis UK survey, September 2025
Small firms
Only 12% of small firms had adopted generative AI.
Solicitors Regulation Authority research, June 2025
The SRA
42
Reports of potential AI misuse received by the regulator in one year.
Solicitors Regulation Authority, August 2026
The gap between “using it” and “adopted it safely” is the market.
Asideus