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.

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services providers presents both opportunities and risks for consumers, including the possibility of inaccurate or outdated information being provided.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.