Regulation Tracker / United Kingdom
Misuse of AI: Warning notice
Solicitors Regulation Authority
last revised 2026-08-17last verified 2026-09-041 versioncountry page →
country page →GuidanceIn forceVerification dutyConfidentialitySupervisionCompetence
map categories:Duty to verify AI outputClient data in AI toolsSupervision of AI workTechnological competenceBar guidance on generative AISanctions for AI misuse
The SRA's first warning notice devoted to AI, issued 17 August 2026 after 42 reports of potential misuse in a year. It tells solicitors in England and Wales they remain accountable for AI output, must verify that cited authorities are genuine and relevant, must protect client data entered into AI tools, and must have governance and supervision controls.
- Applies to
- lawyers, firms
- Effective
- 17 Aug 2026
- Current version
- Original · 17 Aug 2026
- Last verified
- 04 Sept 2026
- Official text
- www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/guidance/misuse-ai/
What the document requires
- Solicitors are accountable for the accuracy of their work regardless of the tool used to produce it.
- Authorities relied on must be checked to be genuine, relevant and verifiably cited before use.
- Client information may only be entered into AI tools with contractual, technical and organisational safeguards, and not for model training without authority.
- Firms must have governance, systems and controls for AI use; COLPs must ensure supervisory arrangements cover AI-assisted work.
- Cross-refers to the SRA Effective Supervision guidance, Risk Outlook on AI and Balancing Duties in Litigation guidance.
Version history
| Version | Date | What changed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Originalcurrent | 2026-08-17 | First version recorded. | official |
Related court incidents on the record
- Cork & Anor v Smith, [2026] EWHC 1199 (Ch)2026-05-22 Regulatory referral
- Ayinde v London Borough of Haringey; Al-Haroun v Qatar National Bank2025-06-06 Regulatory referral
- Bandla v Solicitors Regulation Authority, [2025] EWHC 1167 (Admin)2025-05-13 Costs order
Sources
Cite this record
SafeLegalAI Legal AI Regulation Tracker, "Misuse of AI: Warning notice" (Solicitors Regulation Authority, Original, 2026-08-17), safelegalai.com/regulation/uk/sra-misuse-ai-warning-notice (accessed 2026-09-04). Data: CC BY 4.0.
More official documents in United Kingdom
- The Use of AI for the Preparation of Court Documents: Update on Consultation Findings · CJC
- Generative AI: the essentials · Law Society
- Effective supervision guidance (AI sections) · SRA
- Guidance on the use of Artificial Intelligence and Other Technologies · BSB
- Consultation: The Use of AI for the Preparation of Court Documents · CJC
- Compliance tips for solicitors on the use of AI and technology · SRA