BSB report finds that barristers are yet to catch up on technology

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The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has revealed that barristers are more reluctant than solicitors to adopt new technology, according to its latest Technology and Innovation at the Bar report.

The findings, published on 28 April 2025, identified key barriers to the effective incorporation of technologies, such as increasing AI adoption. It found that, unlike law firms, barristers' chambers lack centralisation of documents and data, making technology implementation less effective. The report stated that: “Law firms can quickly see the relevance of an AI tool improving when it works across a single large database of legal content whereas barristers don’t have a large central data repository on which to train and test [large language models].”

According to the report, barristers and stakeholders have agreed the absence of training on technology at all stages of their career is a key challenge. While chambers recognise that adopting technology can be cost effective in the long term, many of the smaller chambers simply can’t afford the immediate costs, compared to larger law firms. As a result of limited centralised IT resources and in-house expertise, chambers are often reactive to external factors rather than proactive in adopting technological solutions. Therefore, they often prefer to wait to adopt new technologies until they’re well-proven, which limits innovation across the profession.

Much of the technology expertise that barristers have acquired is self-taught or through ad hoc training provided by legal research providers, technology vendors, colleagues or the Inns of Court. This leads to gaps in knowledge. In addition, the report highlighted that barristers display “cautious” usage of AI, “especially in routine administrative tasks.” The study emphasised the need for barristers to overcome current barriers to stay competitive in the evolving legal landscape and provide more efficient services.

The report provides recommendations that are aimed at fostering a “more receptive climate for innovation”. It suggested that chambers aim to collaborate more with technology providers, technology innovation hubs, investors, government funded initiatives and the third sector. Other recommendations suggested that chambers:

• facilitate a drive for greater collaboration and standardisation among barristers;
• utilise technology providers;
• invest into technology training and facilitation;
• collaborate with law firms to co-develop tools and strategies;
• assess client demand for innovation;
• ensure the ethical use of technology; and
• monitor and evaluate technology adoption.

BSB director general, Mark Neale, stated: "Technology is developing quickly, and we need to help the profession adapt to the risks and opportunities this brings […] both organisations recognise the need to work together to understand developments in technology at the bar and support the safe adoption of new technology."