With experience navigating complex domestic disputes, Stephanie Douthwaite, a partner at Harrogate Family Law joins the latest Today’s Family Lawyer podcast. Sitting down with host David Opie, the discussion centres on the rapidly growing trend of clients arriving at initial consultations having relied on artificial intelligence to outline their own divorce settlements.
How should family practitioners manage expectations when couples utilise tech platforms to draft financial remedies built on flawed legal assumptions?
Steph discusses the balance between applauding couples for their efforts, while ensuring “DIY disasters” don’t drive a wedge through the proceedings.
Many arrive simply misunderstanding the needs principles and the mandatory requirement for full and frank financial disclosure. This creates a highly delicate operational dynamic for family solicitors. Unbundled legal models or the “one lawyer, two client” framework can collapse when an underlying power imbalance exists. Tech tools are entirely incapable of reading body language or spotting hidden assets. In fact, an AI-generated spreadsheet can act as a major “spidey sense” warning sign says Douthwaite with the risk of a controlling partner attempting to pull the wool over a vulnerable spouse’s eyes.
Despite arriving thinking costs will be lower as a result of their amicable discussions, the irony is unpicking the clumsy use of technology is inflating costs for existing clients. Practitioners are increasingly receiving massive, AI-drafted emails filled with non-focused questions that do not progress the case with some firms explicitly amending their retainers to warn clients unrefined AI inquiries will incur heavy billing penalties and could potentially waive legal privilege.
The conclusion, for now, is while AI safely summarises basic legal concepts, it fundamentally lacks the nuance, strategy, and professional discretion required to execute fact-specific law.
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