Features

With at least 31 reports of AI hallucinations in UK legal cases – over 800 worldwide – and judges using AI to assist in judicial decision-making, the risks and benefits are impossible to ignore. Matthew Lee examines how different jurisdictions are responding 

The judiciary is familiar with addressing bias but GenAI presents new challenges. Sophie Mitchell examines how, why and when gender bias might present itself in judicial use of AI tools and calls for urgent debate 

Legal thinking needs to keep pace with the very disturbing realities that chatbots can create. Matthew Lee looks at emerging litigation in the US around conversational chatbots and their sinister influence on children 

How much longer can AI companies collect and monetise other people’s IP? Phoebe Whitlock investigates

It’s been five years since the groundbreaking QC competition in which six Black women barristers, including the 2025 Chair of the Bar, took silk. Yet today, the number of Black KCs remains ‘critically low’. Desirée Artesi talks to Baroness Scotland KC, Allison Munroe KC and Melanie Simpson KC about the critical success factors, barriers and ideas for embedding change

Despite increased awareness, why are AI hallucinations continuing to infiltrate court cases at an alarming rate? Matthew Lee investigates

Neither magic wand nor existential threat, AI is a tool. And like any tool, its impact depends entirely on how we learn to wield it, says Paul Schwartfeger

Don’t start your time in Chambers as a cyber risk! Sam Thomas flags the online vulnerabilities of working at the Bar and offers security tips

Brie Stevens-Hoare KC looks at the range of initiatives aiming to increase diversity in judicial appointments. What’s making the difference? What more needs to be done?

How will the EU AI Act, in full force from August 2026, affect barristers in the UK? If advising EU-linked clients or handling cross-border disputes you must grasp its risk-based approach, says Bamdad Shams