Spotlight on Innovative Technology
2028 Ambitions
Over the course of 2025, our Legal Technology, Legal Project Management, Learning and Organisational Development, Knowledge and Risk and Compliance teams led the design and delivery of an AI Accelerator Programme to support our Firm’s use of artificial intelligence (AI). You can read more about what this training entails below.
As well as unpacking some of the challenges and opportunities that arise from AI, the programme ensures we put appropriate guardrails in place when using this developing technology – both fundamental principles of our new Responsible Business Strategy.
It examines issues such as where human judgement is more appropriate than AI judgement, how legal privilege and confidentiality work in the age of AI, AI and GDPR compliance, and professional obligations and ethical boundaries as a lawyer when using AI. For business services, it explores how certain AI tools can support our lawyers and boost operational efficiency.
Last year, our Firm adopted Harvey, a leading legal AI platform designed to increase efficiency for professionals in the legal sector. This followed a comprehensive review of the market by the Legal Technology team to identify tools that could not only replicate the functionality of its existing generative AI tool but also satisfy additional requirements that had emerged over the year.
During the first quarter after launch, Harvey has been used by
of our lawyers, fully embracing the use of generative AI to support their daily work
(based on first quarter from 1 Oct – 31 Dec)
In November 2025, our Firm also rolled out Microsoft 365 Copilot to enable our people to develop new ways of working and support better outcomes for our clients. Our Knowledge, Legal Technology and IT teams are working to ensure our teams fully understand both the capabilities and limitations of this software.
During this first quarter after launch, Harvey has an average daily usage of
accesses across the Firm
(based on first quarter from 1 Oct – 31 Dec)
AI Accelerator programme: Building skills for tomorrow
As part of our journey with emerging technology, last year, we launched our new AI Accelerator Programme to train, equip and inspire everyone at our Firm to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) appropriately and effectively.
The programme comprised three modules for 2025 and further strands are in development for the coming year.
Module 1 (Compliance and Risk) includes information on recognising the potential risks when using AI and guidance on how to use AI in line with our legal and regulatory obligations. This includes our Solicitors Regulation Authority obligations, client responsibilities and data protection. As a deployer of AI software, we have legal responsibilities to train everyone on this emerging technology, and we have made this module mandatory for our people – regardless of their role.
Module 2 (Research and Information Services) focuses on the practical application of innovative research tools to improve our people’s legal research capabilities. In 2025, our Research team delivered an engaging session on using Westlaw AI-Assisted Research and Practical Law Search & Summarize. This session provided valuable insights into optimising these tools for legal research tasks, including guidance on when their use is most beneficial – and when alternative methods may be preferable.
Module 3 (Knowledge) covers getting the best results from AI tools by crafting effective prompts. Well-crafted prompts can significantly improve accuracy, efficiency, and creativity in legal tasks – from drafting documents to analysing complex issues. Understanding how to structure prompts effectively ensures users get outputs that are relevant, reliable, and tailored to their needs, while also (over time) helping to reduce the carbon and wider environmental footprint of our AI use. The training covers the techniques for writing effective prompts for legal work and how to apply these skills when working with AI tools.
It’s critically important that we work with a provider that is at the forefront of legal AI and able to keep up with the incredibly fast pace of change we are seeing in the industry.”
When exploring options for a new generative AI tool, Harvey scored highest across all criteria and has quickly become integral to our lawyers’ work, enabling Charles Russell Speechlys to advance its AI objectives while enhancing client service.”
2026/27 Responsible Business Innovative Technology goals include:
- Develop and implement a governance framework to manage the ethical, legal and operational risks of AI technologies in alignment with our Responsible Business strategy and regulatory requirements.
- Conduct staff training and awareness sessions on the new Responsible Technology Governance Framework.
- Implement monitoring mechanisms (e.g., audit points, reporting KPIs).
- Create internal standards for responsible innovation.
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© Charles Russell Speechlys 2025. Solicitors Regulation Authority number 420625.