LONDON — Law firms are finally getting the message: adapt or get left behind.
Artificial intelligence isn't coming to the legal industry. it's already here. And in 2025, it's not just a shiny toy anymore — it's becoming essential.
According to Clio’s latest Legal Trends Report, 96% of UK law firms have already integrated AI into their practices. that's not a typo. Nearly every firm is using some form of legal tech right now.
But don’t panic about robots replacing lawyers. that's not what’s happening. What we’re seeing instead? AI handling the boring stuff. Document drafting, contract review, e-discovery — all the tasks that used to eat up hours are now being automated.
And honestly? That’s a good thing. It frees up lawyers to do what they do best: actually practicing law, solving complex problems, and advising clients. The human element isn't going anywhere.
Here’s what’s really driving this shift: money and efficiency. Over a third of UK firms are planning to invest more than £100,000 in legal technology in 2025. they're not doing that for fun — they're doing it because tech gives them a competitive edge.
The CLOC State of the Industry Report backs this up. About 83% of legal departments expect demand to increase, and 63% say workload and resources are their biggest challenge. So they’re turning to tech to keep up.
What does this mean for clients? Potentially lower costs and faster service. Fixed-fee models are becoming more popular, which means fewer surprise bills.
Bottom line? AI in legal tech isn’t about replacing humans. It’s about making legal services more accessible, more efficient, and frankly, more affordable. The firms that get this will thrive. The ones that don’t? Well, they might want to start updating those resumes.