On 21 October 2026 the Law Society published a new practice note on using artificial intelligence (AI) in legal practice. It is written for Solicitors, but it also applies to the teams they work with. If you are a legal support professional, it is well worth knowing what it says.
Many firms already use AI for research, drafting, document review, client communications and managing workflows. Much of that work passes through legal support professionals, so the guidance affects you too.
Responsibility Stays With the Solicitor
The guidance makes clear that Solicitors remain responsible for their work, whether or not AI helped to produce it. As Law Society President Brett Dixon put it, “professional responsibility cannot be transferred to any AI system.” No AI tool should be treated as automatically safe.
This matters for legal support professionals because Solicitors are responsible for the work of the people they supervise. In August 2026, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) warned that poor supervision of support staff using AI was a growing concern. Your supervising Solicitor needs to know when and how you use AI on their matters.
Always Check AI Output
AI can produce text that looks convincing but is wrong, such as invented cases or incorrect citations. The guidance says all AI-assisted work must be checked before it goes to clients, courts or other parties.
It also makes an important point. AI cannot reliably check its own accuracy, so asking AI to verify AI output is not good enough. A person must check every case, citation, date and figure against the original source.
Protect Client Confidentiality
Typing client information into a public AI tool can breach confidentiality and data protection law, and could even mean privilege is lost. The Law Society says firms should look closely at any tool before using it, including how it stores and shares data. Free tools may not be safe, but paid tools need checking too.
The simple rule is to use only the AI tools your firm has approved. Never paste client details or documents into a free AI platform.
Being Open With Clients
Solicitors should tell clients how AI is used on their matters. They can also ask clients to say when they have used AI to prepare documents for the firm. If a client document looks as though AI produced it, flag it to your Solicitor.
Keep Your Skills Sharp
The Law Society warns that relying too heavily on AI could weaken legal skills, especially for people early in their careers. AI can speed up routine tasks, but it cannot replace your judgement, your knowledge of procedure or your eye for detail. Those skills are what make legal support professionals so valuable.
Quick Checklist
- Read your firm’s AI policy
- Use only approved AI tools
- Never enter client information into a free AI platform
- Tell your Solicitor when you have used AI
- Check everything against the original source
- Ask for training if you feel unsure
The guidance is not anti-AI. It simply says AI should support legal professionals, not replace them. By using approved tools, protecting client information and checking work carefully, legal support professionals help their firms use AI safely.
You can read the full practice note on the Law Society website here.
Build Your AI Knowledge With ILSPA
ILSPA’s AI in Legal Practice course was developed earlier this year. It covers much of what the Law Society has advised, and more. That includes real cases where AI hallucinations reached the courts, plus confidentiality, creating effective prompts, checking AI outputs and using AI responsibly.
If you want a deeper understanding of AI and more confidence in using it, we recommend enrolling on the course. It is a practical way to keep your skills up to date and show employers you understand both the benefits and the risks.
