---
title: "United Kingdom (England and Wales)"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/jurisdictions/united-kingdom"
type: "jurisdiction"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "UK"
kind: "country"
country: "GB"
last_reviewed: "2026-10-11"
---

# United Kingdom (England and Wales)

> Solicitors are regulated by the SRA, barristers by the BSB (Bar Council guidance), and courts by judicial AI guidance (Oct 2025). The SRA has authorised an AI-driven firm (Garfield.Law).

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/jurisdictions/united-kingdom  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-11

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

Misuse of AI – Warning notice

Compliance tips for solicitors regarding the use of AI and technology

SRA authorises first AI-driven law firm (Garfield.Law)

Considerations when using ChatGPT and generative AI software based on LLMs (updated)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Judicial Guidance (October 2025)

Generative AI – the essentials

Solicitors are regulated by the SRA, barristers by the BSB (Bar Council guidance), and courts by judicial AI guidance (Oct 2025). The SRA has authorised an AI-driven firm (Garfield.Law).

## Key facts

- Kind: Country
- Task versions written for this jurisdiction: 0
- AI instruments recorded: 19

## Jurisdiction note

Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## AI rules and guidance (19)

| Instrument | Issuer | Kind | Effective | Source type | Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Position Statement on the Judicial use of Artificial Intelligence](https://www.judiciary.uk/guidance-and-resources/position-statement-on-the-judicial-use-of-artificial-intelligence-ai/) | Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (England and Wales) | policy_statement | 2026-10-09 | Primary source | Published 9 October 2026. Sets out how the judiciary of England and Wales uses and governs AI.… |
| [Use of AI in preparing court documents (working group, consultation and update)](https://www.judiciary.uk/related-offices-and-bodies/advisory-bodies/cjc/current-work/use-of-ai-in-preparing-court-documents/) | Civil Justice Council | consultation | Not stated | Primary source | CJC working group considering whether rules are needed on legal representatives using AI to prepare pleadings, witness statements and expert reports. |
| [Risk Outlook report: the use of artificial intelligence in the legal market](https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/research-publications/artificial-intelligence-legal-market/) | Solicitors Regulation Authority | regulator_report | 2023-11-20 | Primary source | November 2023 SRA Risk Outlook on how solicitors were using AI, and the risks the SRA highlighted then (accuracy, confidentiality and accountability).… |
| [Guidance on the use of Artificial Intelligence and other technologies by barristers](https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/resources/new-guidance-supports-barristers-to-safely-adopt-artificial-intelligence-and-emerging-technologies.html) | Bar Standards Board | guidance | Not stated | Primary source | BSB guidance explaining how existing BSB Handbook duties apply when barristers use AI, issued after Ayinde v London Borough of Haringey. |
| [ChatGPT in the Courts: Safely and Effectively Navigating AI in Legal Practice](https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/resources/chatgpt-in-the-courts-safely-and-effectively-navigating-ai-in-legal-practice.html) | Bar Standards Board | article | Not stated | Primary source | BSB article on risks of generative AI for barristers, using the US Mata v Avianca fake-citation case as a cautionary example. |
| [AI and lawtech hub](https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/ai-and-lawtech) | The Law Society (England and Wales) | resource_hub | Not stated | Primary source | Law Society hub of AI guidance, events and resources for solicitors, organised around innovation, impact and integrity. |
| [Guidance on AI and data protection](https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/artificial-intelligence/guidance-on-ai-and-data-protection/) | Information Commissioner's Office | privacy_guidance | Not stated | Primary source | ICO guidance on applying UK GDPR to AI systems, including fairness, lawfulness, transparency and accountability.… |
| [Misuse of AI – Warning notice](https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/misuse-ai/) | Solicitors Regulation Authority | regulator_warning | Not stated | Primary source | Warns that AI has no separate legal personality; solicitors remain responsible for competence, supervision and properly arguable representations;… |
| [AI use in Legal Services – CRL guidance](https://cilexregulation.org.uk/2026/10/01/new-crl-guidance-ai-use-in-legal-services/) | CILEx Regulation | guidance | 2026-10-01 | Primary source | CILEx Regulation guidance on how the CILEX Code of Conduct applies to AI use: competence, accuracy, confidentiality, transparency and human oversight. |
| [Compliance tips for solicitors regarding the use of AI and technology](https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/resources/innovate/compliance-tips-for-solicitors/) | Solicitors Regulation Authority | regulator_guidance | Not stated | Primary source | Practical compliance tips, incl. governance, systems and controls and client information security. |
| [LSB update on its approach to regulating AI use](https://legalservicesboard.org.uk/news/lsb-publishes-update-on-approach-to-regulating-ai-use) | Legal Services Board | regulator_statement | Not stated | Primary source | Oversight regulator sets out a pro-innovation approach to AI in legal services and its plans for the coming year. |
| [SRA authorises first AI-driven law firm (Garfield.Law)](https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/news/press/garfield-ai-authorised/) | Solicitors Regulation Authority | regulator_decision | Not stated | Primary source | First authorisation of a purely AI-based firm; Garfield is not autonomous, acts only on client approval, with supervision and monitoring. |
| [Guide to Generative AI](https://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/business-support/lawscottech/resources/guide-to-generative-ai/) | Law Society of Scotland | guidance | Not stated | Primary source | Guide for Scottish solicitors on safely incorporating generative AI, covering risk assessment, data protection, information security and professional duties. |
| [Considerations when using ChatGPT and generative AI software based on LLMs (updated)](https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/updated-guidance-on-generative-ai-for-the-bar.html) | Bar Council (England and Wales) | professional_guidance | Not stated | Primary source | Ethics guidance for barristers updated after recent case law; joint working group with BSB on training and supervision. |
| [Lord President's address to the Royal Faculty of Procurators (AI in the courts)](https://judiciary.scot/home/media-information/media-hub-news/2026/06/05/lord-president's-address-to-the-royal-faculty-of-procurators) | Judiciary of Scotland | speech | 2026-06-05 | Primary source | Lord Pentland explains how the Scottish judiciary is approaching AI deployment; not a practice note. |
| [Artificial Intelligence (AI) Judicial Guidance (October 2025)](https://www.judiciary.uk/guidance-and-resources/artificial-intelligence-ai-judicial-guidance-october-2025/) | Courts and Tribunals Judiciary (England and Wales) | judicial_guideline | 2025-10 | Primary source | Updated guidance for judicial office holders on AI use; replaces the April 2025 guidance. |
| [Guidance on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence](https://lawsoc-ni.org/agenda-for-justice/artificial-intelligence) | Law Society of Northern Ireland | guidance | Not stated | Primary source | Guidance from the Society’s Law Tech Group to help NI solicitors and staff use AI responsibly; principles apply to all existing AI technologies. |
| [Generative AI – the essentials](https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/ai-and-lawtech/generative-ai-the-essentials) | The Law Society (England and Wales) | law_society_guidance | Not stated | Primary source | Practice guidance for solicitors on generative AI risks and obligations. |
| [Lady Chief Justice's Opening of Term Address (AI remarks)](https://www.judiciaryni.uk/files/judiciaryni/2026-09/Lady%20Chief%20Justice%27s%20Opening%20of%20Term%20Address%20-%207%20September%202026.pdf) | Judiciary NI | speech | 2026-09-07 | Primary source | Lady Chief Justice notes AI could help case management and discovery while acknowledging integrity, regulatory and transparency concerns; no formal practice direction. |

- Guidance on the use of Artificial Intelligence and other technologies by barristers: Exact publication date not shown on the news page; guidance PDF at barstandardsboard.org.uk/asset/5E1BAA5C-614C-4105-AFAE9A9CCDF8D97B/.
- Guidance on AI and data protection: The ICO page says this guidance is under review because of the Data (Use and Access) Act and may change.
- AI use in Legal Services – CRL guidance: Date taken from URL path.
- LSB update on its approach to regulating AI use: Publication date not captured.

## Where no guidance was found

- Bar of Northern Ireland: No NI Bar-specific AI guidance found as of 10 Oct 2026 (search returned only England & Wales Bar Council/BSB items). (checked 2026-10-10)
- Judiciary NI: No formal AI practice direction found as of 10 Oct 2026; only speeches (see Opening of Term 2026 row). (checked 2026-10-10)
- Faculty of Advocates: No AI guidance found on advocates.org.uk homepage or via search as of 10 Oct 2026. (checked 2026-10-10)
- Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service: No AI practice note for court users found as of 10 Oct 2026 (search: site:scotcourts.gov.uk artificial intelligence guidance returned only corporate plans and minutes). (checked 2026-10-10)

## Sources

- [Misuse of AI – Warning notice](https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/misuse-ai/) (checked 2026-10-10)
- [Compliance tips for solicitors regarding the use of AI and technology](https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/resources/innovate/compliance-tips-for-solicitors/) (checked 2026-10-10)
- [SRA authorises first AI-driven law firm (Garfield.Law)](https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/news/press/garfield-ai-authorised/) (checked 2026-10-10)
- [Considerations when using ChatGPT and generative AI software based on LLMs (updated)](https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/resource/updated-guidance-on-generative-ai-for-the-bar.html) (checked 2026-10-10)
- [Artificial Intelligence (AI) Judicial Guidance (October 2025)](https://www.judiciary.uk/guidance-and-resources/artificial-intelligence-ai-judicial-guidance-october-2025/) (checked 2026-10-10)
- [Generative AI – the essentials](https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/ai-and-lawtech/generative-ai-the-essentials) (checked 2026-10-10)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*