Solicitors Regulation Authority highlights concern over AI-generated inaccuracies and breaches of confidentiality

The warning notice comes as the regulator revealed it had received 42 reports related to the potential misuse of AI between July 2025 and July 2026.

The SRA noted that while many law firms are using AI “safely and responsibly” to support tasks such as research, drafting, document review and administrative processes, recent cases had highlighted the importance of ensuring “appropriate human oversight”.

It set out the following key concerns:

• AI-generated inaccuracies, or ‘hallucinations’ in legal research, advice, analysis and submissions to the court.    
• Instances of confidential client information being entered into AI tools that lack appropriate safeguards, risking potential breaches of confidentiality and wider data protection requirements.

The SRA said in its warning notice: “Evidence of both the above issues have been identified through high-profile court cases. For example, R (on the application of Ayinde) v Haringey LBC [2025] EWHC 1383 (Admin)) highlighted that AI-generated case citations that turned out to be false were submitted to court, drawing public attention to the risks of using unverified AI outputs in submissions.

“In relation to client confidentiality, in UK v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] UKUT 81 (IAC), the Upper Tribunal commented on the potential for the use of public AI tools to breach confidentiality and legal professional privilege.

“We are concerned that some of those operating in the regulated legal sector are not fulfilling their obligations to uphold their duties to the courts, clients and third parties, and are not always following all relevant rules and regulations.”

The regulator noted there are a number of ongoing investigations relating to misuse of AI, including on issues relating to inaccurate legal citations, supervision and confidentiality.

SRA Executive Director Strategy and Policy, Aileen Armstrong said: “AI is already benefiting consumers and legal professionals, and we are increasingly seeing firms use it in innovative ways to improve services and efficiency. However, the use of AI does not change the professional standards expected of solicitors and law firms. 

“Firms and solicitors must have appropriate oversight and controls in place to make sure consumers are receiving high-quality legal services and that our standards are met. Individuals remain responsible for the work they produce and the advice they provide, regardless of whether AI is used, or not.”

The SRA added further sections to its guidance on effective supervision relating to AIguidance on effective supervision relating to AI in June this year.

Responding to the notice, Law Society of England and Wales vice president, Brett Dixon, said: “The Law Society recognises that AI should be used to support and enhance legal practice, not to replace the essential role of solicitors in providing trusted advice to clients.

"We welcome the SRA’s warning notice and the clarity the guidance provides around how the use of AI interacts with the provision of legal services by solicitors, particularly in relation to the courts and the protection of client confidentiality.

"As a regulated profession, solicitors have the responsibility to act in the best interests of their client, which includes using AI and other technologies responsibly. The warning notice is a reminder of how this should be applied in practice."

Dixon added: "Technological innovation in legal processes and service delivery is advancing at speed. As the use of AI evolves rapidly, the SRA will need to continue providing the profession with swift and clear guidance so solicitors can use AI with confidence in line with their duties.

“We look forward to continuing our engagement with the SRA to help solicitors navigate this everchanging landscape.”

Lottie Winson