People with legal problems are turning to AI for advice, to translate legal jargon and to query lawyers' work, according to the first large-scale look at the public’s use of AI chatbots for legal help.

Legal thinktank Justice and research group Administrative Fairness Lab surveyed 3,287 people, including 1,428 who said they had been involved in a legal dispute over the past two years. Of those 1,428, 16% used an AI chatbot for help, information or advice.

Many people asked direct questions on legal rights and options, such as ‘I’d like help with a legal reasoning on a disputed parking fine’ or ‘what happens when I go to court and how do I address the magistrates?’.

Struggling with legal jargon, one person copied and pasted their lawyer’s email into the chatbox and asked for the email to be explained in ‘normal person language’.

AI was asked to check lawyers' conduct. One person asked if they could complain about their lawyer using Google Maps to verify a building’s height. Another person asked if it was appropriate for a solicitor to request mortgage funds without their consent. 

People were also turning to AI for support and reassurance. One person believing they had a medical negligence claim asked AI if they agreed and which solicitor in Manchester they recommended would likely take on the case.

Justice deputy legal director Ellen Lefley said: ‘The question is not whether AI becomes part of people’s legal journeys - it already is. This research provides a unique insight into who is using it and how. The challenge now is ensuring people receive reliable support, while addressing the unmet legal needs that drive some towards AI in the first place.’