AI, Law and Legal Training (AILLT)

Posted on30 October 2024

The Open University and Lincoln University are working together on a research project to co-produce free open educational resources with stakeholders that will provide knowledge, awareness of, and confidence in the use of Generative AI (GenAI) for understanding legal processes and accessing legal information. Academics from law and STEM are working on the project in partnership with Citizen Advice. The resources will address ethical and responsible knowledge of and skills to use GenAI. The research is being funded by UKRI Responsible AI.

As part of the research there are three workshops with stakeholders:

27^th November 2024: 11am to 1pm: Advice sector in partnership with Citizens Advice
11^th December 2024: 12pm to 2pm: Legal academics and law students
9^th January 2025: 12pm to 2pm: Legal professionals (invitation attached)

The aim of the research is to create resources that will explain GenAI, its application, implications, and ethical use in legal contexts to support the public, organisations that provide legal advice, legal professionals, small and medium-sized law firms, students, and academics. The findings from the workshop will directly inform the creation of the open educational resources, which will be freely available on The Open University, Open Learn platform in Summer 2025.

We would like to invite law firms to participate in an online workshop on Thursday 9th January 2025: 12.00 to 2.00pm. We would welcome the participation of paralegals, trainee solicitors, junior lawyers, and more experienced practitioners from different areas of legal practice. By involving practitioners with different levels of experience and areas of specialism we aim to gain a better understanding of how these resources can effectively enhance knowledge and awareness of GenAI in legal settings. The findings from the workshop will directly inform the creation of the open educational resources, which will be freely available on The Open University, Open Learn platform.

The project is led by Francine Ryan Francine.ryan@open.ac.uk. If you would like to attend the workshop, please email open-justice@open.ac.uk and we will provide you with more details. Should you have any questions or wish to discuss the project further, please feel free to contact Francine Ryan directly.

Burges Salmon has been an enthusiastic supporter of BLS for many years. BLS provides a valuable role in uniting and promoting the whole of the legal sector across Bristol to benefit both its members and the city. It facilitates collaboration across the sector to ensure that we can all make a difference. Whether that is driving important initiatives in, for example, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and the use of new technologies, liaising with stakeholders and charities in our wider community or providing training to generations of lawyers, the service and support provided by BLS is invaluable. More recently BLS has taken a lead on promoting Bristol’s legal brand, encouraging legal and business services talent to come to the city, which in turn attracts clients and inward investment to our thriving and vibrant commercial community. BLS breaks down barriers and brings those in the profession together for the greater good. We are proud of our long-standing association with BLS.
Roger Bull - Managing Partner, Burges Salmon
Three things to say about my experience of working with Bristol Law Society. Their central team, council members and general hangers-on are just about the nicest, most generous group of people working in the legal sector today. The numerous events, awards, socials and conferences I’ve had the pleasure to attend over the years have been, without exception, top quality and supremely organised. And, thirdly, they consistently exceed and challenge the boundaries of what lawyers might assume a regional Law Society will restrict activities to – from a hugely successful charitable school meals drive to corporate social responsibility and diversity campaigns to being joint architects and coordinators of the region’s unique Bristol+BathLegalTech group, which it has been my privilege to co-chair for the last five years.
Chris Bull - Principal, Edge International
As one of the leading Insurance brokers for law firms in the UK and with a large presence in Bristol it seemed only natural for us to support the Bristol Law Society. Bristol Law Society is one of the oldest and most vibrant of the Law Societies in England and Wales. We are pleased to be working with them on important matters relating to law firms’ liability insurances and Risk Management. From Sole Practitioner to Top 20 law firms we are sure our two organisations can provide excellent support and assistance for the challenges faced by the legal profession.
Matthew Baker - Financial Lines Group, Howden Insurance Brokers Ltd
Joining BLS in 2013 and becoming President in 2018/19 has created many longstanding friendships and business relationships, whilst also unlocking doors to other opportunities in the City. BLS enabled a perfect balance of professional development and also opportunities to give back to the legal and wider community. I am pleased that my Firm has supported BLS in many capacities since 2013 and continues to do so.
Nicholas Lee- Managing Director of Paragon Costs Solutions and Past President of BLS