Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls, the most senior Civil judge in England and Wales, delivered a speech at the LawtechUK Generative AI Event held in London on 5 February 2025. He urged legal professionals to embrace AI rather than resist its integration, emphasizing that AI is already transforming industries worldwide, and the legal sector cannot afford to be left behind.
He outlined three key reasons for AI adoption:
- Industry-Wide Adoption – As businesses increasingly rely on AI, lawyers must understand its risks and capabilities to effectively advise clients.
- AI Liability & Legal Disputes – Future litigation will revolve around both negligent AI use and negligent failure to use AI. Lawyers need AI expertise to navigate these cases.
- Access to Justice & Cost Reduction – AI-powered legal tools can streamline dispute resolution, lower costs, and expand access to justice.
Vos contrasted regulatory approaches, noting that Australia enforces stricter controls on AI-generated court materials, while the UK prioritizes lawyer accountability over outright restrictions. He also addressed the ethical implications of AI in legal decision-making, particularly in family law, questioning whether some decisions—such as child custody rulings—should always remain human-led.
He called for a global discussion on AI’s role in justice and human rights, warning that existing legal frameworks may need revision in light of AI’s rapid advancement. Concluding, he urged legal professionals to adopt AI thoughtfully and responsibly, ensuring human oversight, ethical safeguards, and legal integrity while leveraging AI’s benefits.