Strategy focuses on safe adoption of AI in legal services and calls for greater regulatory support
The UK Legal Services Board has published a new strategy outlining its plans to support the safe adoption of artificial intelligence across the legal sector, while calling for greater government support to help regulators respond to rapidly evolving technology.
The LSB’s newly published AI plan, titled “AI-Driven Innovation: Our Plans for Enabling Safe, AI-Driven Innovation in Legal Services 2026-27,” sets out a strategy focused on coordination, clarity and confidence to support the responsible adoption of AI across the legal sector. The LSB said it recognizes the “enormous potential” of AI-enabled innovation to improve access to legal services, reduce costs and support economic growth.
The AI plan outlines measures already undertaken by the LSB, including collaboration with frontline legal regulators, support for compatible regulatory processes, support for the development of sandboxes, publication of statutory guidance, and the creation of an Innovation and Technology Forum bringing together regulators and lawtech providers. The LSB also said it is working with government departments and legal regulators on initiatives intended to address barriers created by regulatory uncertainty and inconsistent guidance.
However, the LSB said regulators remain constrained by limited funding, shortages of specialist expertise and challenges coordinating with regulators in other sectors. As a result, it is urging the government’s proposed AI Action Plan for Justice to include measures to build regulatory capability and to provide sustained, multi-year support for regulatory experimentation. According to the plan, longer-term funding would help regulators invest in initiatives such as sandboxing, standards testing, and cross-regulator collaboration, while supporting approaches that enable safe AI adoption and build consumer confidence.
The LSB is also seeking greater understanding of how consumers use AI when dealing with legal issues. The AI plan notes that while there is evidence that consumers are increasingly turning to AI chatbots and other digital tools, little longitudinal research exists to track how individuals move between unregulated AI services, advice providers, and regulated legal professionals. The LSB said it would welcome the Ministry of Justice's support in developing evidence on these consumer journeys.
The Law Society Gazette reported that the concerns identified in the AI plan coincide with the release of the LSB-commissioned report, “Existing Standards for AI-Powered Business-to-Consumer Lawtech,” which found that standards specifically designed for consumer-facing legal AI tools are largely absent. Most of the standards identified were developed for broader purposes such as AI governance, data protection or professional conduct requirements, while 58 percent consisted of non-binding guidance without enforcement mechanisms.
The review found that consumers receiving AI-assisted support through regulated solicitors or law firms benefit from professional oversight and established complaint and redress processes. By contrast, individuals using AI legal tools directly may have no equivalent protections. Although consumer protection and data protection laws may apply, the report concluded that those frameworks were not designed to address the risks associated with AI-generated legal information or advice.
The Gazette reported that LSB chief executive Richard Orpin said increasing numbers of people are using AI to help resolve legal problems, including housing disputes, workplace issues and debt matters. He said the technology has the potential to be transformative for people who cannot afford traditional legal advice.
At the same time, Orpin said consumers expect basic safeguards when using AI-enabled legal services. The LSB’s plan states that maintaining public confidence will require consumer protections and regulatory frameworks to keep pace with the rapid growth of online and AI-enabled legal services.
