Leading UK Law Schools Collaborate with Legora AI to Enhance Legal Education
King’s College London, the City Law School, and BPP have announced a collaboration with Legora, an advanced legal AI tool. This partnership marks the first instance of UK law schools integrating Legora into their curricula, providing students with access to technology widely used by law firms globally.
The incorporation of Legora into legal education aims to equip students with essential skills for professional legal training and support work in pro bono clinics. This initiative follows Legora's previous partnerships with nine US law schools, including prestigious institutions such as Stanford and the University of Chicago.
In August, the Solicitors Regulation Authority issued a warning regarding the use of generative AIs like Legora, emphasising that solicitors must remain accountable for their work. The SRA highlighted concerns about issues such as AI hallucinations and the risk of waiving privilege when uploading sensitive documents to open source AI platforms. Legora responded to the SRA's warning, stating that AI literacy is increasingly becoming a professional obligation for law students.
BPP Law School plans to focus on teaching students how to effectively utilise AI in legal practice. Jo Anne Pugh, Dean of BPP Law School, expressed enthusiasm about integrating Legora into their educational offerings, stating that the tool will enhance students' professional skills and prepare them for the evolving landscape of legal practice.
At King’s College London and the City Law School, students will employ Legora in pro bono clinics, assisting clients with various legal issues, including employment, housing, personal injury, and criminal appellate matters. The AI will aid in research, document review, and drafting processes.
Professor Dan Hunter, Executive Dean of the Dickson Poon School of Law at King’s College London, remarked on the transformative impact of AI on the legal profession. He expressed pride in the collaboration with Legora, noting that it provides students with opportunities to assist underserved communities while gaining practical experience in navigating AI technologies.
Sally Gill, Director of the City Community Legal Advice Centre at The City Law School, highlighted the importance of teaching students not only how to use legal AI but also when to apply it and how to exercise professional judgement. She emphasised that these skills are crucial for students entering a profession increasingly influenced by AI technologies.