The SRA’s AI warning notice: what a small law firm should record about its AI tools

6 minute read · Updated 4 October 2026

On 17 August 2026 the Solicitors Regulation Authority published a warning notice on the misuse of AI, for firms and individuals it regulates. Its message is simple: AI does not change who is responsible. For a small SRA-regulated firm, knowing which AI tools you use, their approved purposes and who checks the work is a useful starting point alongside appropriate safeguards and supervision. This guide outlines the notice and facts worth recording. It is practical guidance, not legal advice.

What the notice says

The notice reminds solicitors and firms of duties they already have, applied to AI. In its words, “AI has no separate legal personality”, so the people who use it stay accountable for their work. The main themes are:

Accountability: solicitors remain responsible for work and advice produced with AI.
Accuracy before the court: only put forward submissions that are properly arguable, which means checking anything AI produces, including citations.
Confidentiality: keep client affairs confidential, which affects which tools may receive client information.
Supervision and competence: supervise work done for clients and make sure people are competent to use the tools they rely on.
Governance: firms need systems and controls to manage risks, including risks from AI.

The SRA’s accompanying release says it received 42 reports of potential AI misuse between July 2025 and July 2026, including inaccurate citations, supervision failures and confidentiality concerns.

What to record for each AI tool

A register is a useful starting point for documenting these decisions; it does not replace human oversight or the safeguards required by the notice. For each tool, record:

Approval status: approved, under review or not approved for firm work.
Approved uses: for example drafting, summarising or research support.
Client information: whether client data may be entered, and on which business plan or settings that is allowed.
Checking step: how outputs are verified before use, especially citations and anything filed with a court.
Supervisor: who is responsible for how the tool is used.
Training: who has been shown how to use it safely, and when.
Next review: when the firm will look at the tool again.

Our free AI tool register and inventory template already has columns for approval status, approved uses and the data allowed and not allowed.

Practical controls for a small firm

Keep an approved tools list and tell staff where to find it.
Write a short AI policy covering client information, checking outputs and who to ask. See what to put in a company AI policy.
Make verification of citations and authorities a fixed step before anything is relied on or filed.
Use firm accounts on business plans for firm work, not personal accounts.
Include AI tools in your leaver process, using our AI offboarding checklist.
Review the list at least yearly, and whenever a new tool is proposed.

This is not legal advice

This guide summarises a public notice to help with practical record keeping. It does not tell you whether your firm complies with the SRA’s rules. For that, read the notice in full and take advice from your compliance officer or a qualified adviser.

Sources

Read on 4 October 2026. Check the SRA website for any later updates.

Common questions

Does the SRA ban solicitors from using AI?

No. The notice accepts that AI can benefit clients and firms. It stresses that solicitors stay accountable for AI-assisted work and need oversight, supervision and confidentiality controls.

What should a small firm do first?

Make a list of the AI tools in use, decide which are approved and for what, and set a rule for client information and for checking outputs before they are relied on.

Is this guide legal advice?

No. It is a practical summary to help with record keeping. Read the notice in full and take advice from your compliance officer or a qualified adviser.