Generative AI is rapidly transforming the legal profession, with the number of lawyers using AI tools more than doubling in just six months. As the legal industry embraces AI's potential, firms are realising its benefits, including time savings, cost reductions, and improved client outcomes. Our latest survey of the legal market found that 4 out of 5 lawyers currently use AI or have adoption plans in place. We also look at how large law firms such as Pinsent Masons are boosting the productivity of their legal teams through AI powered legal research and guidance solutions.
The number of lawyers in the UK using generative AI for work purposes has almost quadrupled in a little over a year, our most recent survey found that AI users jumped from 11% in July 2023 to 41% in September 2024. Large law firms are at the forefront of this revolution, with 62% of respondents revealing they鈥檝e implemented changes to their day-to-day operations due to generative AI. This adoption is driven by a need for greater efficiency and competitiveness in a rapidly changing legal landscape. However, despite these benefits, firms face doubts regarding over-reliance on AI (50%), leaking confidential information (49%) and accidental bias (43%).
These challenges may appear significant, but they鈥檙e certainly not impossible to get past. The key is leaning on human verification to mitigate risk and prevent mistakes. With 72% of lawyers wanting AI grounded on legal content, Lexis+ AI is here to serve. Our legal AI platform ensures secure interactions and provides hallucination-free, reliable legal citations, making it an attractive solution for firms like Pinsent Masons. Tim Dale, Director of Knowledge at Pinsent Masons, provides his rationale: 鈥淟exis+ AI is designed specifically for lawyers. Context is built in, and it鈥檚 optimised to pull from the correct data sources. This setup was a no-brainer for us because we know the data is up to date, accessible, and relevant.鈥
If your firm is exploring AI鈥檚 potential, purpose-built tools like Lexis+ AI offer a way to adopt the technology confidently and effectively.
The most immediate impact of AI in law firms is the time it saves. Tools like Lexis+ AI are helping lawyers to reclaim valuable hours once lost to repetitive tasks. A recent US survey of legal professionals using Lexis+ AI revealed that three-quarters of respondents saved up to 7 hours per week on legal research, while 84% saved up to 6 hours per week on legal drafting. In an industry where every billable hour matters, this extra time has significant value for firms and their clients.
Pinsent Masons, a leader in legal innovation reported similarly impressive results during its pilot of Lexis+ AI. A 30-participant trial revealed that users saved an average of 30 minutes per week. While this figure may seem modest at first glance, it scales dramatically across a large organisation potentially adding up to hundreds of hours regained annually. But the true value isn鈥檛 just in time saved, it鈥檚 in how that time is reinvested. Freed from routine research and drafting, lawyers can focus on high-value tasks: whether it鈥檚 crafting complex legal strategies, deepening client relationships, or pursuing professional development.
鈥淲ith standard search, you get a list of potential answers or 鈥榠ngredients鈥, then sift through to decide what goes into your advice. Generative AI bakes the cake for you, though you still need to test it鈥 explains Dale. 鈥淯ltimately, this allows lawyers to focus on higher-value activities.
The result? Better outcomes for clients and greater job satisfaction for lawyers. By providing faster access to trusted insights, tools like Lexis+ AI are quickly becoming indispensable for firms striving to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.
Aside from time savings, the value of an AI tool is also measured by the impact it brings to the quality of work. Pinsent Masons鈥 experience with Lexis+ AI highlights how generative AI can redefine workflows and unlock new efficiencies. More than just a productivity booster, it can analyse vast amounts of data to reveal potentially missed insights.
A senior associate at Pinsent Mason used Lexis+ AI to cross-check their independent research and received validated findings alongside additional insights which strengthened the case. There was a time when people were worried that AI might cause more problems than it solved, especially when it came to spotting errors. Now, it鈥檚 giving lawyers the confidence to protect client relationships, reputations, and careers with more precision than ever. In a profession that values tradition over risk, two-thirds of lawyers are expressing greater comfort using AI tools grounded on reliable legal sources. Lexis+ AI is building this trust by delivering reliable legal solutions without the guesswork.
By enabling lawyers to work smarter, not harder, AI is reshaping how firms approach their return on investment. As a result, more firms are exploring the integration of legal AI solutions.
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Looking ahead, the momentum behind AI in the legal profession shows no signs of slowing down. The majority (71%) of in-house teams expect their external counsel to use generative AI, but this shift towards AI-driven efficiency is expected to bring changes to pricing structures. Additionally, the expectation from in-house counsel that law firms inform them when they're using generative AI is high, at 77%.
As AI technology continues to evolve, its applications will expand far beyond legal research and drafting. We're already seeing the first stages of this shift, with AI beginning to play a role in advanced tasks like risk assessment, and even automating aspects of case strategy. Firms that invest in tools like Lexis+ AI will be better prepared to navigate the expanding role of generative AI in the industry. By adapting now, these firms will secure their competitive edge in a rapidly changing legal landscape.
The potential of generative AI in law goes far beyond simple time savings. While the immediate benefits are clear鈥攆aster research, more efficient drafting, increased productivity. Its true value lies in the broader impact it can have on how legal work is approached, delivered, and experienced. As the legal profession continues to embrace AI, it鈥檚 clear that those who adopt legal generative AI tools will be best positioned to lead.
Pinsent Masons鈥 experience with Lexis+ AI is a powerful case study that exemplifies how AI can drive both operational efficiencies and enhance the quality of legal services. By leveraging Lexis+ AI, lawyers will gain deeper insights and more strategic advantages in their work.
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