Fletchers Group has initiated a second partnership with the University of Liverpool to advance legal AI development.
- The collaboration focuses on enhancing the SIDSS, which has significantly improved efficiency in handling clinical negligence cases.
- Key appointments, including a new AI project director and head of data science, mark Fletchers’ commitment to innovation.
- The project aims to leverage the latest AI technologies like Large Language Models (LLMs) to support legal practices.
- Fletchers Group has committed funding for a four-year project, reflecting their long-term dedication to AI research in law.
Fletchers Group has once again joined forces with the University of Liverpool, embarking on a new chapter of legal AI development. This collaboration aims to build upon the success of their previous joint initiative, which involved the implementation of the Structured Information Decision Support Systems (SIDSS). According to Fletchers, the SIDSS has been instrumental in conserving substantial staff hours by streamlining decisions on whether to advance clinical negligence cases.
The partnership involves the University of Liverpool’s esteemed computer science team, led by Professor Katie Atkinson. The collaboration is further strengthened by the sponsorship of two PhD students who will engage in research crucial for the project. In a strategic move to bolster their AI capabilities, Fletchers has appointed Noah Milton as the AI project director and Quentin Debard as the head of data science. These appointments are pivotal in driving the project forward, reflecting Fletchers’ resolve to lead in the legal use of AI.
Dan Taylor, Fletchers’ director of integration and one of the architects behind the SIDSS, emphasised the firm’s ambition to serve as a pathfinder in the integration of AI into legal practices. The latest project with the University of Liverpool underscores this ambition, illustrating a proactive approach to employing AI advancements such as Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance the automation of straightforward tasks and integrate business expertise into legal services.
The initiative, set to commence in November 2023, is supported by a multi-million-pound funding plan provided by Fletchers as part of their ongoing commitment to AI innovation in the legal field. Professor Katie Atkinson from the University expressed enthusiasm for continuing this fruitful partnership, highlighting the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge AI research relevant to industrial applications. She praised Fletchers’ progressive stance towards innovation, marking the project as an exciting venture.
Fletchers Group CEO, Peter Haden, articulated the significance of this project both for the firm and the broader sector. He noted the potential of AI to bridge gaps in the justice system, especially for lower-value cases, which have traditionally faced challenges in accessing justice due to reforms and budgetary constraints.
The renewal of collaboration between Fletchers Group and the University of Liverpool heralds an exciting era of AI innovation in the legal sector, promising transformative impacts on accessibility and efficiency.
