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The legal profession is witnessing a remarkable surge in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. According to a recent ½Û×ÓÊÓƵ survey, four out of five lawyers (82%) are currently using or have plans to use this cutting-edge technology, signaling a paradigm shift in the industry. This blog explores the top benefits of AI and its key use cases, with a particular focus on legal research and drafting.

Find out how AI can speed up legal research and drafting.

AI-powered legal research tools can quickly sift through vast amounts of data, identifying relevant cases, statutes, and legal precedents with unprecedented speed and accuracy. As Gerrit Beckhaus, Partner and Co-head of the Freshfields Lab at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, states, "Generative AI not only retrieves information but contextualises it, connecting disparate pieces of data and our knowledge pool." This not only saves valuable time but also ensures that no critical information is overlooked, leading to more comprehensive and well-informed legal strategies.

Traditionally, document review and analysis have been time-consuming and labour-intensive tasks. AI technology can rapidly analyse and extract key information from legal documents, contracts, and case files, enabling lawyers to focus on higher-level tasks and strategic decision-making. According to Bhavisa Patel, Director of Legal Technology at Eversheds Sutherland, "Activities such as legal research, document review, and contract analysis will become simpler and quicker, allowing lawyers to concentrate on complex and strategic work."

AI-driven drafting tools can assist lawyers in creating accurate and consistent legal documents, such as contracts, pleadings, and briefs. By leveraging natural language processing and machine learning algorithms, these tools can suggest relevant clauses, identify potential inconsistencies, and ensure compliance with legal standards and industry best practices. As a partner at a law firm with 100+ fee-earners shared, "Generative AI is streamlining my legal research and drafting processes, allowing for faster turnaround times and more comprehensive analysis."

AI's ability to process vast amounts of data and identify patterns can help reduce human errors and inconsistencies in legal work. By leveraging AI-powered tools, lawyers can ensure greater accuracy and consistency in their research, analysis, and drafting, minimising the risk of costly mistakes. A staggering 71% of lawyers cited delivering work faster as a key benefit of AI, according to the ½Û×ÓÊÓƵ survey.

By automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks, AI technology allows legal professionals to work more efficiently, freeing up valuable time and resources. This translates into cost savings for clients and increased productivity for law firms and legal departments. As Chris Tart-Roberts, Head of Lawtech and Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer from Macfarlanes, noted, "As we learn more about the potential of generative AI, we expect it to translate into improved client service and more efficient service provision."

AI-powered legal research tools can quickly search through vast databases of case law, statutes, and legal publications, retrieving relevant precedents and supporting materials. This streamlines the research process and ensures that no critical information is overlooked. According to the survey, 41% of lawyers cited keeping pace with new technology as one of the top challenges facing their firm or legal team in the next 12 months.

AI can be leveraged to review and analyse complex legal contracts, identifying potential risks, inconsistencies, and areas of concern. This not only saves time but also helps mitigate legal risks and ensures compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards. As Tom Whittaker, a Director and Solicitor Advocate in the dispute resolution team of Burges Salmon, stated, "The ability to ask questions in natural language, rather than trying to guess what keywords may be of relevance, is greatly advantageous."

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AI-driven drafting tools can assist lawyers in creating accurate and consistent legal documents, such as contracts, pleadings, and briefs. These tools can suggest relevant clauses, identify potential inconsistencies, and ensure compliance with legal standards and industry best practices. The survey revealed that 60% of the legal industry has made at least one internal change to implement generative AI, reflecting the growth of this rapidly evolving technology.

AI can be employed to conduct comprehensive due diligence and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards. By analysing large volumes of data and identifying potential risks or non-compliance issues, AI can help legal professionals mitigate risks and avoid costly penalties. As Bivek Sharma, Chief Technology Officer & Head of Alliances for Tax, Legal and People at PwC, highlighted, "For my team, generative AI tech is a game-changer that enhances our productivity, efficiency and quality of service delivery."

AI-powered tools can help lawyers draft legal documents, briefs, and memoranda more efficiently. These tools can suggest relevant legal citations, provide writing recommendations, and ensure consistency in style and formatting. According to the survey, 78% of large law firms have made changes to implement generative AI, indicating their commitment to leveraging this technology.

As the legal profession continues to embrace AI technology, the benefits and use cases for legal research and drafting are becoming increasingly evident. By leveraging AI's capabilities, legal professionals can streamline processes, enhance accuracy, and deliver faster and more efficient services to their clients. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between leveraging AI's potential and maintaining human oversight, ethical standards, and professional integrity. By effectively integrating AI into their workflows, law firms and legal departments can gain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving legal landscape.I want to be kept up to date with all things AI