Source: LexisNexis
The UK legal sector is experiencing a dramatic shift towards artificial intelligence (AI), with a LexisNexis survey revealing AI usage among lawyers has surged from 11% in July 2023 to 41% in September 2024. This rapid adoption is reshaping legal service delivery, prioritising speed and efficiency to meet escalating client demands. Jonathan Kewley of Clifford Chance describes this trend as “extraordinary,” warning that lawyers who don’t embrace AI may face “existential risk.”
AI tools are proving invaluable in streamlining routine tasks, from legal research and document analysis to contract drafting and due diligence. This shift towards AI-driven efficiency is primarily driven by clients’ unwillingness to accept prolonged turnaround times, pushing law firms and in-house legal teams to seek innovative solutions.
However, this AI revolution is prompting a re-evaluation of traditional pricing models. The survey found that 39% of private practice lawyers now expect to adjust their billing practices due to AI, up from 18% in January 2024. A biotech firm’s General Counsel argues that “the billable hour rewards inefficiency,” suggesting that AI will necessitate a shift towards value-based billing. As the legal sector embraces AI, professionals must now demonstrate their unique value proposition in an increasingly automated landscape.
Read More: LexisNexis
