Law Society Says Lawyers Cannot Transfer Responsibility to AI

Oct 21, 2026
The Law Society of England and Wales says solicitors remain professionally responsible for work produced with AI. Its voluntary guidance calls for human oversight, careful tool selection and disclosure of AI use.

The Law Society of England and Wales says solicitors cannot transfer professional responsibility to an AI system, according to Artificial Lawyer. Its new practice note provides voluntary guidance and does not carry the authority of a professional regulator.

The guidance says no AI tool is automatically safe and work generated by AI should receive appropriate human oversight. It also calls on solicitors and clients to disclose AI use, and says firms should select tools carefully and confirm that legal work meets professional standards.

The Law Society also says AI should not replace junior lawyers. President Brett Dixon warned that excessive reliance on AI could create gaps in future legal skills and knowledge, while solicitors need to understand the risks of the systems they use.

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