AI Use Policy

Ashlings Legal uses technology, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), responsibly to support the delivery of efficient, high-quality legal services. AI tools may be used to assist with certain aspects of our work; however, all legal advice, analysis and outputs remain subject to professional judgment, supervision, and accountability by our solicitors.

The use of AI does not replace a solicitor's role or our professional obligations. We remain fully responsible for the work we deliver, regardless of whether technology is used in its preparation, in line with our regulatory duties under the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) standards and regulations. AI will only be used in instances where it may streamline the efficiency of delivery of services to you.

Where appropriate, AI tools may be used to assist with tasks such as:

• •legal research support and information retrieval;
• •document and contract review support;
• •drafting assistance (for example, preparing initial drafts or summaries);
• •matter and knowledge management;
• •workflow, project or matter management support;
• •quality checks and consistency reviews; and
• •other internal efficiency and administrative uses commonly adopted within law firms.

AI is used as a support tool only. All outputs are reviewed, verified and approved by a qualified lawyer before being relied upon or provided to a client.

We recognise that some clients may prefer that AI is not used in relation to their matters.

If you do not wish AI to be used in connection with your matter, please tell us. Where a client does not accept the use of AI, we will ensure that the matter is handled and reviewed without the use of AI tools.

Choosing not to permit AI use will not affect the quality of service, although it may impact timelines or cost efficiency in some cases.

Our goal is to ensure that clients can make informed decisions about how their matters are handled, consistent with our duties under the SRA Code of Conduct to act fairly and in clients' best interests.

We take confidentiality and data protection seriously. When AI tools are used:

• •we apply appropriate safeguards to protect client confidentiality and legal professional privilege;
• •we comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018;
• •we do not allow unrestricted or unsupervised sharing of confidential client information; and
• •we aim to use AI systems that operate within secure, controlled environments, appropriate to legal professional use.

AI tools are selected and deployed in accordance with our internal governance, risk management and compliance frameworks.

Consistent with SRA requirements, Ashlings Legal:

• •remains fully accountable for all advice and work product;
• •ensures that AI use is appropriately supervised;
• •maintains oversight by senior lawyers and compliance officers; and
• •reviews and monitors AI use to manage risks, accuracy and ethical considerations.

Professional judgment is never delegated to AI systems.

The regulatory and legal environment relating to AI continues to develop. We will keep this policy under review and update it as necessary to reflect changes in law, regulation, guidance, or best practice.

If you have any questions about our use of AI or wish to discuss how technology is used in relation to your matter, please contact us and we will be happy to explain.