Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy
Please read the information below for a summary of how Crane & Staples may use approved Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in limited and controlled circumstances to support the delivery of our services.
We have also included guidance regarding the use of AI by clients. We strongly recommend that clients do not use AI to discuss legal matters, upload legal documents, or seek advice about their case.
If you have any questions about our use of AI or anything contained within this policy, please speak to the member of our team handling your matter, who will be happy to assist.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Crane & Staples
At Crane & Staples, we recognise that our clients instruct us for our legal expertise, professional judgement, experience and, most importantly, our personal, human approach.
We also recognise the benefits that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can offer when used cautiously, responsibly and appropriately, particularly where it may help improve efficiency and enhance the quality of our service.
Accordingly, we may use approved AI tools to assist with administrative and business functions, and to support certain aspects of legal service delivery.
This may include:
- Improving the presentation of communications
- Drafting marketing content
- Producing administrative documents
- Organising information
- Extracting information from property and conveyancing documents
- Assisting with the preparation of property reports
- Identifying matters which may require further review within property transactions
- Assisting with data analysis and spreadsheet tasks
Any information, sources or content generated with the assistance of AI is independently reviewed, verified and approved by a member of our team before being relied upon or used.
For example, within approved conveyancing systems, AI may assist with identifying potential enquiries, summarising property documents and highlighting matters requiring review. These tools are used to support our work and improve efficiency, but they do not replace legal expertise, professional judgement or independent review by our legal professionals.
Where AI tools are utilised, they operate within secure systems approved by the firm.
We do not permit confidential client information to be entered into unapproved or public AI platforms, and we do not permit client information to be used to train public AI models.
Protecting client confidentiality, data security and maintaining the highest professional standards remain paramount in all aspects of our work.
The firm's guidance for staff on the permitted and prohibited use of AI is set out in our internal policies and procedures. Our staff receive appropriate training on the responsible, secure and effective use of AI and are expected to comply with the firm's policies at all times.
As AI technology develops, these policies are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect legal, regulatory and professional requirements.
Our commitment is that legal advice and professional judgement will always be provided by our lawyers, reflecting the human expertise, specialist training and experience that our team work hard to develop and maintain.
We recognise that our clients choose us as their trusted advisers for these reasons and we are proud to provide a personal, tailored approach to every matter.
While technology may assist certain aspects of our work, it cannot replace the trusted relationships, empathy, insight and expertise that are at the heart of the service we provide.
If you have any questions regarding our use of AI, please speak to the member of the team handling your matter or email clientcare@crane-staples.co.uk.
Use of AI by Clients
We understand that many individuals now have access to Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and may choose to use them in their personal or professional lives. While clients are free to decide whether to use such tools, we strongly recommend exercising caution when doing so in relation to legal matters.
In particular, we recommend that clients do not:
- Upload legal documents relating to their matter into public AI platforms.
- Paste correspondence received from Crane & Staples into AI tools.
- Share confidential, personal or financial information with AI systems.
- Rely on AI tools to explain, interpret or advise on legal documents or legal issues.
AI systems can produce inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information and may not understand the full circumstances of your matter. Information generated by AI should not be treated as legal advice.
If you require clarification regarding any document, correspondence or advice provided by Crane & Staples, we encourage you to contact the member of our team handling your matter. We will be happy to explain any aspect of your case and answer any questions you may have.
While we cannot control how our clients choose to use AI tools, we strongly recommend that legal questions, concerns and requests for clarification are directed to us rather than an AI platform. This helps ensure that you receive advice and information that is accurate, tailored to your circumstances and based on a full understanding of your matter.
For further information, please see:
Law Society Guidance on Generative AI
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/ai-and-lawtech/generative-ai-the-essentials
SRA Warning Notice on the Misuse of AI
https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/misuse-ai/