Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) tools are becoming part of everyday life. Many people now use them to help draft emails, summarise documents, research topics, prepare forms or explain unfamiliar concepts.

AI can be useful, but it also carries risks. This is especially important where legal documents, personal information, financial details or confidential family or business matters are involved.

At Mercers Solicitors, we want clients to be aware of those risks and to use AI carefully.

Free AI tools may not protect your information

A key concern is confidentiality.

Information entered into free or unlicensed AI tools may not remain private. Depending on the tool and its terms, information you provide may be stored, reviewed, used to improve the system, or processed outside the safeguards you would expect when dealing with sensitive personal or legal information.

You should not enter personal, confidential, financial, medical, legal or case-related information into an AI tool unless you are satisfied that it is covered by an appropriate business or enterprise licence with suitable data protection and security safeguards.

This includes, for example:

• correspondence from your solicitor
• draft Wills, LPAs, contracts or settlement agreements
• court documents
• property transaction documents
• bank details or financial information
• information about family disputes, probate matters or vulnerable individuals
• names, addresses, dates of birth or other identifying information.

Once information has been entered into an AI system, it may be difficult or impossible to control how it is used.

AI is not a substitute for legal advice

AI tools can produce answers that sound confident and convincing. However, that does not mean the answer is correct.

AI systems can misunderstand questions, overlook important facts, rely on outdated information or produce inaccurate content. They may also invent references, cases or legal principles that do not exist. The Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued guidance reminding law firms that AI must be used carefully and with proper checks, and recent legal commentary has highlighted the risk of false AI-generated legal authorities being used without proper verification.

Legal advice depends on your individual circumstances. Small factual differences can change the legal position significantly. An AI-generated answer cannot assess your matter in the same way as a qualified legal adviser who has reviewed the relevant documents, asked follow-up questions and applied professional judgement.

Do not rely on AI for deadlines or legal steps

AI should not be relied on to calculate legal deadlines, complete court forms, draft binding legal documents, interpret tax consequences or decide whether you should take or defend legal action.

Errors in these areas can have serious consequences, including missed limitation dates, invalid documents, unnecessary costs or a weaker legal position.

If you are unsure about a legal deadline or the steps you need to take, please seek legal advice promptly.

Beware of AI-assisted fraud

AI can also be used by fraudsters. Criminals may use AI to create convincing emails, letters, voice messages or documents that appear genuine. These may be used to impersonate professional advisers, family members, businesses, banks or other trusted contacts.

You should remain alert to:

• Unexpected requests for payment
• Changes to bank details
• Urgent or pressurised messages
• Unusual wording or tone
• Requests to share verification codes or passwords
• Documents or links that you were not expecting.

As with all fraud risks, if you receive a message that appears unusual or suspicious, check it independently using trusted contact details. Do not rely on contact details contained in the suspicious message itself.

Practical steps for safer AI use

If you choose to use AI tools, we recommend the following precautions:

• Do not enter confidential, personal, legal or financial information into free or unlicensed AI tools
• Do not upload legal documents unless you are certain the AI system is secure and appropriately licensed
• Treat AI-generated answers as a starting point only
• Independently check any information before relying on it
• Do not use AI as a substitute for legal advice
• Be particularly cautious where deadlines, tax, property, Wills, probate, court proceedings or disputes are involved

How Mercers can help

AI may be helpful for general information, but it cannot replace tailored legal advice and the human touch.

Our experienced team can advise you on Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Trusts, Residential Property, Litigation, Estate Disputes, Court of Protection matters and Notary services.

If you have any concerns about a legal document, a suspicious communication, or advice you have received from an AI tool, please contact us before taking action.