AI is changing
the legal sector
faster than you think
Opportunities, applications and real-world examples — where AI genuinely adds value in legal work, and where the risks lie.
The legal sector is changing faster than many firms realise
Where artificial intelligence was seen as an experimental tool just a few years ago, it has now become part of daily practice in law. Recent research shows that more than 90% of lawyers use generative AI for research, structuring case files, drafting memos and summarising documents.
At the same time, 66% of companies expect that within a few years AI will let them handle more legal work in-house — work that traditionally went to law firms. Clients experiment with tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Harvey and Copilot, while large firms invest millions in AI platforms and governance. Yet the reality is more complex than many headlines suggest.
AI is an accelerator — and a risk
Judges and lawyers increasingly encounter AI-generated legal documents in which case law is misquoted or even entirely fabricated. In the Netherlands, several lawyers have already been reprimanded for careless use of AI systems. Careless use brings direct legal and reputational risks.
Building AI policy for your firm
In law it is not only about efficiency, but above all about reliability, confidentiality and professional judgment. Clear guidelines for responsible AI use are therefore essential. Six principles to start with:
Make your AI policy practical and clear
Focus on concrete guidelines: which tools may be used, what AI may be used for, and when extra review is required.
Don’t ban AI — create clear frameworks
Many staff already use AI. Aim not for a ban, but for safe, responsible and controlled use within clear agreements.
Work with approved AI tools
Record which tools may be safely used for legal work, and under which conditions confidential information may be processed.
Define when human review is required
Not every use carries the same risk. Set rules for human verification — especially for client advice, court filings and legal analysis.
Protect confidentiality and client data
Include explicit guidelines on privacy, data storage and GDPR. Staff must know which information may never go into public AI tools.
Ownership, training and updates
A strong policy is not a one-off document but a continuous process. Assign ownership, train staff and update the policy regularly.
What a strong AI policy covers
Be open — including with clients
More and more firms — like Pallas Advocaten — actively publish their AI policy: what AI is used for, how quality and confidentiality are safeguarded, and that AI never replaces the lawyer’s professional judgment.
The AI Act gives AI use a legal framework
The AI Act is the first comprehensive European law specifically targeting AI systems, working with rules based on risk levels. For law firms this means AI use is no longer only about innovation, but also about compliance, governance and responsible use — with emphasis on human oversight, transparency, data management and bias control.
Generative AI systems also fall under specific transparency obligations: in certain situations organisations must make clear when AI is used and how output is produced.
How firms already put AI to work
From legal research and document analysis to knowledge management and process optimisation. Four firms show how to integrate AI responsibly and practically. Click to expand each case.
Get started with AI in three phases
Successful AI adoption is not only about technology, but about strategy, governance, human oversight and practical application. Click a phase to see the approach — each with top-down and bottom-up steps.
Not optimising, but positioning: where do you still add value as a firm when AI does much of the legal work faster and cheaper? AI touches the core of the profession — research, analysis and document creation.
Becoming AI-native? Ten questions to ask yourself
Tick what is already in place at your firm. Your score shows how AI-native you are right now.
Dutch startups are building legal AI
A growing number of Dutch players are developing AI specifically for law and case law — with emphasis on reliability, explainability and data protection.
An AI assistant for lawyers, built by lawyers and legal-tech specialists. Focused on legal research, case-file analysis and document creation based on Dutch and European legal sources. Data stays in the Netherlands and is not used to train models.
A legal AI platform for law firms and legal teams. Focused on legal research, contract review and AI-assisted drafting, with emphasis on explainable output and transparent source references. Already in active use at Dutch firms.
An AI tool that analyses case law and legislation and quickly generates well-founded answers with source references. Aimed at lawyers, in-house counsel and notaries who want to do legal research faster.
An AI platform that brings legal workflows, case-file analysis, document creation and knowledge management together in one environment — aimed at organising legal work more intelligently.