Prime Highlights
- UK Legal Services Board has launched a new strategy to support safe use of AI in legal services.
- The plan focuses on improving coordination, regulation, and responsible innovation in the legal sector.
Key Facts
- The LSB says AI can improve access to legal services and reduce costs if used safely.
- It has urged government support due to limited funding, skill gaps, and lack of clear standards for AI tools.
Background
The UK Legal Services Board (LSB) has released a new strategy to support the safe use of artificial intelligence in legal services, while calling for stronger government support to help regulators manage fast-changing technology.
In its plan titled AI-Driven Innovation: Enabling Safe, AI-Driven Legal Services 2026–27, the regulator said it wants to build coordination, clarity and confidence across the legal system as digital tools become more common in legal work. It said artificial intelligence could improve access to legal help, lower costs and support economic growth if used responsibly.
The LSB said it has already taken steps to prepare the sector, including working with legal regulators, supporting testing environments for new tools, publishing guidance and creating a forum for lawtech companies and regulators to share ideas. It is also working with government bodies to reduce confusion caused by unclear or inconsistent rules.
However, the board warned that regulators face serious challenges. These include limited funding, a shortage of technical skills and difficulties working across different regulatory systems. It has urged the government to include stronger support for regulators in its upcoming AI Action Plan for Justice.
The LSB also called for more research into how people use AI when dealing with legal issues. It said many consumers already turn to digital tools for problems such as housing, work disputes and debt, but there is little long-term data on how they move between AI tools and professional legal services.
A separate report commissioned by the LSB found that clear standards for AI legal tools are still limited. It noted that many existing guidelines are voluntary and not specifically designed for consumer-facing legal technology.
LSB chief executive Richard Orpin said AI could make legal support more accessible, especially for people who cannot afford traditional services. He also stressed the need for safeguards so that users can trust the advice they receive through digital platforms.
The board said maintaining public trust will depend on keeping regulations and protections in step with rapid technological change.
