Work with regulators to support responsible AI adoption in the legal sector
Read the full detail of action 3.5 on GOV.UK. (opens in a new tab)
Year 1 progress
In Year 1, the MOJ has proactively engaged with regulators and signalled the importance of enabling AI innovation across the legal regulatory landscape. The regulators have been active in promoting the safe adoption of AI, for example:
- The Bar Standards Board (BSB) and Costs Lawyer Standards Board have published new guidance on the safe and responsible use of AI, explaining how existing duties and rules apply.
- The Solicitors Regulation Authority published a risk outlook report focused on the use of AI in the legal market, while the BSB undertook research highlighting the challenges and opportunities of AI at the Bar.
- The Legal Services Board published an update on how regulators are enabling AI adoption.
Year 2 priorities
In Year 2, we will focus on deepening engagement with regulators and the legal sector to promote consistent, proportionate approaches to AI adoption. This includes opening the AI Growth Lab, an advisory sandbox addressing regulatory uncertainty, with the goal of accelerating market access for safe, responsible AI-enabled legal services. Regulators will lead day-to-day delivery, with support from the MOJ. Further details are provided in the case study below.
Case studies (1)
AI Growth Lab
At London Tech Week, the Government announced the AI Growth Lab, an advisory sandbox designed to accelerate the development and adoption of AI products. The legal services sector was selected as the first sector to participate, reflecting strong demand from industry for greater regulatory clarity around the use of AI. Through the Lab, regulators and innovators will work together to explore practical challenges associated with deploying AI in legal services, helping organisations understand how existing rules apply in practice and enabling responsible innovation.
The programme will focus on practical regulatory challenges which may include, but are not limited to, client confidentiality, data protection, explainability and risk management, supporting firms to adopt AI while maintaining high standards of consumer protection and professional ethics.
By bringing together government, regulators and industry, the AI Growth Lab will help create the conditions for responsible AI adoption, supporting growth, improving access to legal services and demonstrating how collaborative regulation can unlock innovation.
