Legal problems can arise unexpectedly.
Perhaps your employer has changed your working arrangements, your landlord is refusing to return your deposit, or you have received a legal document containing unfamiliar terminology.
For many people, the first response is to search online.
However, finding reliable legal information can be frustrating. Search engines may produce hundreds of results, including outdated guidance, information from different jurisdictions and explanations filled with complicated legal terminology.
Artificial intelligence is beginning to change how people access and understand legal information.
Platforms such as Nakdlaw aim to make legal information easier to explore by allowing users to ask questions in everyday language.
But how useful is AI when dealing with legal issues, and what are its limitations?
Why Understanding the Law Can Be Difficult
The law affects many aspects of everyday life.
Employment contracts, tenancy agreements, consumer purchases, family arrangements and business transactions can all involve legal rights and responsibilities.
However, understanding those rights is not always straightforward.
Legal information may refer to legislation, court decisions and technical terminology that can be difficult to interpret without legal training.
Even when information is accurate, it may not apply to your particular circumstances.
For example, the legal position concerning a tenancy in England may differ from that in Wales. Similarly, employment rights can depend on an individual’s employment status, length of service and the circumstances surrounding a dispute.
Understanding which rules apply is therefore an essential first step.
What Is an AI Legal Platform?
An AI legal platform uses artificial intelligence to help users explore legal information.
Rather than searching through numerous websites, users can ask questions in conversational language.
For example:
“Can my employer change my contract without asking me?”
“What happens if my landlord refuses to return my deposit?”
“Do I need a solicitor to review a settlement agreement?”
“What should I consider before signing a business contract?”
An AI system can help explain relevant legal concepts and identify issues that may require further investigation.
Nakdlaw is designed around this approach, helping users begin exploring legal questions without needing to understand complicated legal terminology.
However, AI-generated information should not automatically be treated as accurate, complete or tailored legal advice.
How Can AI Help With Everyday Legal Questions?
Understanding Legal Terminology
Legal documents frequently contain unfamiliar expressions.
Terms such as indemnity, restrictive covenant, statutory notice and breach of contract may be confusing.
AI can help explain these concepts in more accessible language.
This may make it easier to understand a document before deciding whether professional advice is required.
Identifying Relevant Legal Issues
Sometimes people recognise that something is wrong but do not know whether the issue is legal.
For example, an employee might feel they have been treated unfairly but be uncertain whether the situation involves discrimination, unfair dismissal or a contractual dispute.
AI may help identify possible legal topics worth exploring.
However, identifying a potential issue is different from determining whether a legal claim will succeed. That requires consideration of the facts, evidence and applicable law.
Preparing Questions for a Solicitor
Speaking to a solicitor can be more productive when you understand the basic legal concepts involved.
AI may help users organise their concerns and identify questions they want to ask.
For example, someone considering divorce may want to understand the difference between a final divorce order and a financial consent order.
A business owner might want to understand the purpose of a shareholder agreement before discussing its preparation.
Using technology to become better informed can help individuals approach professional consultations with greater confidence.
Can AI Replace a Solicitor?
AI legal platforms can be useful information tools, but they are not a complete substitute for professional legal advice.
Legal disputes often depend on detailed facts, evidence, statutory requirements and procedural rules.
A solicitor can assess the circumstances, explain available options and advise on the potential consequences of different decisions.
AI systems may generate inaccurate information, misunderstand a question or fail to identify an important legal exception. They may also provide information that is no longer current.
This is particularly significant where strict deadlines or substantial financial consequences are involved.
For example, employment tribunal claims are subject to statutory time limits. The applicable deadline depends on the type of claim and the circumstances, and the Acas early conciliation process can affect how the time limit is calculated.
A person relying on inaccurate or outdated information could therefore misunderstand the deadline for bringing a claim.
This illustrates why important legal information should always be verified.
When Should You Seek Professional Legal Advice?
Although AI may help you understand the general legal position, professional advice is particularly important when:
- You have received court proceedings or a formal legal claim.
- A legal deadline may be approaching.
- You are considering signing a settlement agreement.
- Significant money, property or business interests are involved.
- You are involved in a complex family dispute.
- You need legal representation or advice tailored to your circumstances.
These situations may require more than general legal information. They may involve legal strategy, negotiation, document preparation or representation.
Is It Safe to Share Personal Information With AI?
Privacy is an important consideration when using any digital platform.
Legal questions may involve sensitive personal information, financial records, employment disputes or confidential business documents.
Before sharing such information, users should review the platform’s privacy policy and understand how their information may be collected, stored and processed.
It is generally sensible to avoid entering unnecessary identifying information or confidential documents into an AI system unless you are satisfied that appropriate safeguards are in place.
Users should also avoid assuming that conversations with an AI platform attract the same legal professional privilege protections as confidential communications with a solicitor.
The Future of Access to Legal Information
Artificial intelligence has the potential to make legal information more accessible.
For individuals who are unsure where to begin, conversational technology can provide a more approachable starting point than traditional legal research.
However, responsible use requires an understanding of its limitations.
The greatest value may lie in combining accessible legal information with professional legal expertise when circumstances require it.
Technology can help people ask better questions, understand unfamiliar terminology and recognise when further assistance is needed.
Start Understanding Your Legal Questions With Nakdlaw
Legal information should not be unnecessarily difficult to understand.
Whether you are dealing with an employment issue, a property concern or a business-related question, understanding the basic legal principles can help you identify your next steps.
Nakdlaw aims to make that first stage easier by providing an accessible way to explore legal questions.
Have a Legal Question?
Start with Nakdlaw.
Explore your legal question in plain English, understand the issues that may be relevant and identify when professional legal advice could be appropriate.
Visit Nakdlaw and start exploring your legal questions today.
