The second annual report from the International Bar Association’s (IBA) Future of Legal Services Commission (FLSC) warns that lawyers are treating AI as a future issue rather than an immediate priority, risking unpreparedness for its rapid impact on the legal sector.
The 2024 Future of Legal Services – White Paper highlights the profession’s lack of readiness for both AI’s risks and opportunities, alongside other major challenges such as regulatory changes, digitalization, and ESG compliance. The report is structured around four key themes—People, Clients, Business, and the Rule of Law—and identifies 17 urgent issues drawn from a comprehensive “heatmap” survey of IBA members worldwide.
Key concerns include:
- AI adoption and legal technology
- Regulatory independence and ethical challenges
- Evolving client expectations and business models
- Work-life balance and the future of legal employment
While concerns over access to justice and judicial independence have declined, the report underscores a growing focus on ESG compliance and AI-driven transformation within legal practice.
With contributions from legal professionals globally, the FLSC’s report serves as a benchmarking tool for law firms, judiciaries, and academic institutions. The Commission urges the profession to engage proactively in the AI debate, ensuring lawyers remain relevant, ethically accountable, and prepared for the challenges of a rapidly evolving legal landscape.