General AI tools
Can solicitors use ChatGPT? Confidentiality and checking
Updated
Nothing in the rules names ChatGPT. What decides it is what you type in and whether you check what comes out.
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Client information
A public tool is the public domain
The Upper Tribunal said that putting client and Home Office letters into an open AI tool such as ChatGPT is to place that information in the public domain. The SRA warns that confidentiality may be breached and privilege permanently waived.
Source: SRA warning notice: Misuse of AI (17 August 2026)
What to check first
Before client data goes in, a firm should be satisfied it stays in a secure environment, is not seen by unauthorised third parties, is not used to train models unless authorised, and is not kept longer than needed.
Source: SRA warning notice: Misuse of AI (17 August 2026)
Data protection
Personal data put into an AI tool needs a lawful basis under UK GDPR like any other processing; the ICO's guidance on AI sets out how to decide it.
Source: ICO: how do we ensure lawfulness in AI?
Checking the output
Every citation verified
AI tools can invent cases and references that look convincing. A solicitor should be assured that every authority cited is genuine, relevant and has a verifiable citation.
Source: SRA warning notice: Misuse of AI (17 August 2026)
What a seat costs
Published prices
Microsoft publishes Copilot Business at £16.10 per user per month on its UK page; most legal-specific tools publish no price at all. The index lists every tool we read.
Source: Legal AI Tool Price Index: every row, with its source