AI Is Supposed to Save Lawyers Time. Why Do 46% Say Their Clients' AI Use Is Creating More Work?

Artificial intelligence promises to make legal services faster, cheaper and more accessible. But new Australian research reveals an unexpected problem: clients using AI may actually be making their lawyers' jobs harder.

A new study by the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner has found that 46% of surveyed lawyers reported spending more time and effort delivering legal services because of their clients' use of artificial intelligence.

The findings, released on 30 October 2026, are based on responses from 2,221 Victorian lawyers.

While AI adoption is accelerating across the profession, the research suggests the technology is also changing how clients approach legal advice — and not always for the better.

Clients are arriving with incorrect legal information.

The research reveals:

• 46% of client-facing lawyers reported clients arriving with inaccurate or misleading information obtained through AI.
• 41% had received AI-generated documents or correspondence requiring correction.
• 46% said clients' use of AI increased the time and effort needed to deliver legal services.
• Just 10% reported clients arriving with a better understanding of their legal issues because of AI.

Only 19% of respondents said clients' AI use reduced the time and effort required to provide services.

The findings suggest that while clients may be using AI to research legal problems before approaching a solicitor, the information they receive is not necessarily reliable. For lawyers, this can mean additional time checking facts, correcting documents and explaining why AI-generated legal advice may be incomplete or inaccurate.

AI adoption is accelerating

The same research found that 55% of surveyed Victorian lawyers now use AI in their legal practice, up from 37% in 2025.

Among lawyers using AI, 78% reported increasing their use over the previous year.

However, the anticipated financial benefits are not yet reaching every client.

Only 26% of AI users in fee-charging practices reported reducing client fees as a result of the technology.

LawUno Insight

AI may be making legal information easier to access, but access to information is not the same as access to accurate legal advice.

For Australian lawyers, the challenge is evolving.

It is no longer simply about learning how to use AI effectively. It is also about managing clients who arrive with AI-generated research, documents and expectations. The findings raise important questions about client education, professional responsibility and whether AI is genuinely improving access to justice. They also highlight a growing distinction between information generated by technology and advice informed by professional legal judgement.

If AI is supposed to make legal services more efficient, why are so many lawyers spending additional time correcting what it produces?