Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risk of individuals looking for reputable lawyers being directed by AI chatbots to solicitors' firms which have been sanctioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Answered by Lord Lemos - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Government recognises that the increased use of AI to identify legal services providers presents both opportunities and risks for consumers, including the possibility of inaccurate or outdated information being provided. It is crucial to ensure that consumers can access reliable information when choosing legal services.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority, as the independent regulator of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales, is responsible for setting and enforcing professional standards and protecting consumers of legal services. The SRA assists consumers in making informed decisions about legal services. It publishes a wide range of regulatory and disciplinary decisions through its website and Solicitors Register.

Whilst the Government has not undertaken a specific assessment of this risk, we continue to work closely with the SRA and other legal services regulators to better understand the implications of AI for the legal services sector and ensure that appropriate consumer protections remain in place. The Ministry of Justice intends to raise this issue with the SRA as part of this ongoing engagement.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they will appoint a new director of the Serious Fraud Office.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Cluny - Advocate General for Scotland

Preparation to recruit the next Director of the Serious Fraud Office is progressing as planned and the Attorney General intends to publish the job advert at the end of this month. This will be a rigorous recruitment exercise in line with the Civil Service Commissioners’ recruitment principles. It is designed to attract and test the strongest field of talent and the selection process is expected to last at least until the end of November. The Attorney General expects to appoint a permanent Director by the end of this year, to take up the post in 2027.

The SFO plays a critical role in prosecuting fraudsters, delivering justice for victims and ridding the economy of corruption, making Britain better off. It is vital that we take the time to find and appoint the correct candidate to lead the organisation for the next five years.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they will appoint the new Director of the Serious Fraud Office.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Cluny - Advocate General for Scotland

Preparation to recruit the next Director of the Serious Fraud Office is progressing as planned and the Attorney General intends to publish the job advert at the end of this month. This will be a rigorous recruitment exercise in line with the Civil Service Commissioners’ recruitment principles. It is designed to attract and test the strongest field of talent and the selection process is expected to last at least until the end of November. The Attorney General expects to appoint a permanent Director by the end of this year, to take up the post in 2027.

The SFO plays a critical role in prosecuting fraudsters, delivering justice for victims and ridding the economy of corruption, making Britain better off. It is vital that we take the time to find and appoint the correct candidate to lead the organisation for the next five years.