AI is beginning to change the business of law

In the spring of 2024, a man in his seventies faced an unexpected decline just two days after undergoing intricate cardiac surgery in the Midlands, leading to his untimely death. As per protocol, the hospital referred this case to the coroner’s office due to the unclear circumstances surrounding the death. In the aftermath, Anthony Searle, a clinical negligence barrister, was approached by the grieving family to represent their interests. To uncover the truth behind the incident, Searle recognized the need to pose critical questions to the surgical team. However, when the coroner dismissed his appeal for an independent expert report, Searle found himself in a difficult situation. Turning to an innovative solution, he leveraged artificial intelligence—an increasingly vital tool in the often under-resourced coroners’ courts. Searle shared, "Inquests are initiated because the deaths are shocking. Families seek to understand the circumstances surrounding their loved ones' passing." By utilizing ChatGPT, he was able to sharpen his inquiries regarding the technical details of the surgery, compensating for the lack of expert testimony available. At just 35 years old, Searle is cautious about how he employs AI, ensuring he never inputs sensitive client information and carefully verifying all data and references provided by the technology. His approach reflects a broader trend of legal professionals cautiously exploring AI's potential to modernize practices that have remained unchanged for centuries. The future possibilities of AI in the legal sector are vast. It could assist barristers’ clerks in fee negotiations and scheduling, optimizing the efficiency of legal representation. Moreover, discussions are underway about AI's role in drafting skeleton arguments—case summaries crucial for court proceedings. In addition to research, Searle is developing custom AI tools, including an application designed to calculate damages in clinical negligence cases. This app utilizes data from actuarial tables used in English courts to estimate future losses due to injuries, providing more accurate calculations based on variables like age and pension contributions that were previously overlooked.