Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday life, and more people are now turning to AI legal advice when they have questions about their rights, responsibilities or options. Whether we are drafting an email, researching a purchase or simply looking for information, tools such as ChatGPT can provide answers in seconds.
So, perhaps unsurprisingly, people are increasingly using AI to ask questions about Wills, divorce, property, disputes and business matters.
AI may give you an answer almost instantly. But when it comes to the law, getting an answer and getting the right advice for you are two very different things.
Legal advice is personal
Very few legal matters exist in isolation.
Two people can ask exactly the same question but, because their circumstances are different, require very different advice.
Take buying a property with a partner as an example. How much each person is contributing, whether they are married, how they intend to own the property and what they want to happen if one person wishes to sell can all be relevant.
The same applies across many areas of law.
When preparing a Will, your family circumstances, assets, property ownership and wishes for the future all need to be considered.
During a divorce, finances, property, pensions, children and individual circumstances can affect the advice you receive.
In a business or property dispute, the wording of an agreement, previous correspondence and the actions of those involved could all be significant.
A solicitor doesn’t just answer the question you ask. They take the time to understand the wider circumstances and identify issues you may not have considered.
AI doesn’t necessarily know what it doesn’t know
One of the biggest risks when relying on AI for legal information is how convincing an answer can sound.
A response may be detailed, clearly written and appear authoritative. However, that does not guarantee it is accurate, up to date or applicable to the law in England and Wales.
More importantly, an AI tool only knows the information you give it.
If there is an important detail you haven’t mentioned because you didn’t realise it was relevant, the advice you receive cannot take it into account.
This is where speaking to an experienced solicitor makes a real difference.
At Bennett Oakley, our solicitors can ask the right questions, understand the complete picture and explain your options in clear, straightforward language.
What about using AI to prepare legal documents?
It can be tempting to ask AI to produce a Will, agreement or other legal document, particularly when the result appears professional.
But legal documents are not simply about getting the wording to sound right.
They may need to meet specific legal requirements and accurately reflect your intentions and circumstances. An error or omission may not become apparent until much later, when correcting it could be considerably more complicated and expensive.
Having a solicitor prepare or review an important legal document gives you the opportunity to discuss what you are trying to achieve and make sure the document is appropriate for your particular situation.
AI can still be a useful starting point
None of this means AI cannot be useful.
It can help you understand unfamiliar terminology, give you a broad overview of a subject or help you put together questions ahead of an appointment with a solicitor.
If you have already used AI to research your legal situation, you can also bring the information or questions you’ve gathered to your solicitor.
The important thing is not to mistake general information for personalised legal advice.
Why speak to Bennett Oakley?
When you come to Bennett Oakley, you are speaking to real people who will take the time to understand what matters to you.
Our teams advise individuals, families and businesses across a wide range of legal matters, including Residential Property, Commercial Property, Family Law, Private Client, Corporate and Commercial matters and Dispute Resolution.
Rather than relying on a generic answer, you’ll receive advice based on your circumstances, with the opportunity to ask questions and understand the implications of the different options available to you.
Technology will continue to change the way we find information, and AI will undoubtedly play an increasing role in the legal sector too.
But when a decision could affect your family, your property, your business or your future, there is real value in talking it through with someone who understands both the law and your individual circumstances.
Have a legal question? Don’t leave it to AI. Speak to the team at Bennett Oakley and get advice that’s right for you.
Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can help.
