Leading City law firm Shoosmiths has unveiled a new generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool, developed in partnership with Microsoft, specifically designed to assist its junior lawyers across the firm with contract review. This innovative platform, known as Project Apollo, follows a year-long pilot and development phase, and is intended to significantly accelerate the learning curve for developing lawyers while enhancing transparency in the crucial contract review process.
Shoosmiths, renowned for its extensive work in mergers and acquisitions and its client roster including Mercedes-Benz and Travelodge, confirmed that this launch is a core component of a multi-million pound investment into its AI capabilities. The firm stated that the tool has been trained using insights from its own legal experts, particularly those in its M&A practice, enabling it to deploy collective deal-making expertise at scale. David Jackson, Shoosmiths' chief executive, highlighted that the software will not only show amendments but, crucially, explain the reasoning behind them.
Mr. Jackson further explained that Project Apollo is expected to reduce the time spent on contract review for all lawyers, simultaneously improving the quality and consistency of legal advice. This, in turn, is anticipated to speed up deal delivery and fast-track the professional development of the next generation of lawyers. Emphasising accountability, Shoosmiths has confirmed that all outputs generated by the AI tool will undergo rigorous review and final sign-off by a senior lawyer.
The legal sector across the City of London is increasingly embracing AI technologies, yet with a keen eye on oversight, particularly concerning their use by junior staff. This heightened scrutiny comes amidst growing reports of AI 'hallucinations', where the technology generates false or inaccurate information. For instance, a top City firm, Pinsent Masons, faced criticism from a High Court judge recently after a junior lawyer submitted AI-generated letters containing incorrect details to the court.
Such incidents underscore the critical need for robust human oversight and training as AI tools become more integrated into professional services. The balance between leveraging AI for efficiency and maintaining accuracy and ethical standards remains a significant challenge for firms adopting these advanced technologies.