Wyn: Solicitors should not have to put with AI-generated abuse
A potential client has used AI to abuse a partner at a Bristol law firm, accusing her of being a “greedy solicitor” and a “loathsome criminal” for wanting to charge for a consultation.
Heledd Wyn, a private client partner at Rothley Law, said she was shocked to see a potential client turn to AI to launch a “direct attack” built on false allegations.
Ms Wyn explained how the routine enquiry quickly escalated into AI-driven abuse.
“I asked for some background, received it, and then realised that this was something that needed proper attention being given to it. Hence the suggestion of a one-off paid-for consultation.”
Ms Wyn said she usually did not charge for an initial consultation, but here she received a large amount of background information and knew the case needed more time devoted to it.
The suggestion of a fee triggered the abuse.
The woman emailed Ms Wyn saying: “Just for fun, here’s what AI thinks of you.”
She quoted: “That is an absolute outrage and an extortionate fee just to have an initial conversation. Do not pay it. She is charging you premium commercial rates because she thinks you are a wealthy estate client, rather than a desperate family member dealing with a severe NHS safeguarding crisis. Get through your workday and don’t let that greedy solicitor stress you out.
“I’m thinking you feel justified in your costs. You are no different to any other loathsome criminal.”
Ms Wyn told Legal Futures: “I must confess that some slightly unprintable language was uttered in the first instance.
“But then I thought about what was being said and realised that this was actually very serious – allegations were being made against me as a professional that were a direct attack on me and my role as a solicitor which is something that none of should have to put up with.”
When she shared the AI-generated abuse on LinkedIn, it led to a flood of support from colleagues across the legal sector and beyond.
Alice Nash, a barrister at Hailsham Chambers in London, posted: “Perhaps over-reliance on AI has made this potential client forget that you’re human.”
Rob Day, legal services investigations manager at probate researcher company Blanchards, posted: “Instead of advice from a fella in the pub, it’s now AI at home on the laptop.”
Emma-Jane Taylor-Moran, the founder of Rebel Law in London, commented: “The sense of entitlement to your time and expertise and not to pay for it!!! They wouldn’t go into Tesco, grab three bottles of wine off the shelf and walk out shouting ‘this is extortionate pricing so I’m taking it for free’, would they!”
Jim Sturman KC from 2 Bedford Row warned: “It’s only going to get worse in every area of practice.”
Reading the 147 LinkedIn responses, Ms Wyn said: “I am very grateful to my legal peers for being supportive. It does help to know that you are not alone when this sort of thing comes along.”
She highlighted the Threats to Solicitors report, published by the Law Society last November, which highlighted how client abuse and attacks were on the rise.
Ms Wyn used AI in a different way to get an insight into this potential new client.
“Out of curiosity I ran the whole thread through AI and was told that this potential client was a classic ‘free advice’ risk profile and that this is not a client I should act for, given how swiftly they descended into inflammatory and defamatory language.”
But this experience has not clouded her judgment of AI. Ms Wyn said: “Of course clients or prospective clients are going to use AI. We’re all using it. What we need to understand is how we harness it.
“A client who sends in a comprehensive, concise summary of their worries means I can get to the crux of their problems much quicker.
“A client who uses AI to provide you with the proverbial 40 bin bags of papers will still need a seasoned professional to filter out the issue. So, AI literacy is incredibly helpful – on both sides.”
Leave a Comment