Terms and Conditions
Artificial Intelligence Use Policy
Last updated: September 2026
1. Our approach to artificial intelligence
Maitland Legal embraces technology that can improve the efficiency, accessibility and quality of the legal services we provide.
As part of our legal practice, we may use artificial intelligence, including generative artificial intelligence and AI-assisted software ("AI Tools"), to assist our lawyers and staff in performing certain legal and administrative tasks.
AI Tools are used as support tools only. They do not replace the professional skill, judgment, analysis or responsibility of our lawyers.
Where AI Tools are used in connection with legal work, Maitland Legal remains responsible for the legal services provided to our clients.
2. How we may use AI
Depending on the nature of the matter and the particular technology being used, AI Tools may assist us with tasks including:
preparing preliminary drafts of documents, correspondence and other materials;
reviewing, summarising, comparing and organising documents or information;
assisting with legal and factual research;
identifying issues or matters requiring further consideration;
document management, classification and data extraction;
preparing chronologies, summaries, checklists and working notes;
proofreading, formatting and improving the clarity of written material;
transcription or summarisation of meetings, where appropriate;
internal knowledge management and administrative processes; and
other tasks intended to improve the efficiency or delivery of our legal services.
The extent to which AI is used will depend upon the nature of the matter, the information involved, the capabilities and security of the relevant AI Tool and our professional obligations.
3. Human oversight and professional judgment
AI-generated material may be incomplete, inaccurate, outdated or otherwise unsuitable for a particular legal matter.
Accordingly, Maitland Legal does not treat the output of an AI Tool as a substitute for legal analysis or professional judgment.
Where AI-generated material is used as part of legal work, our lawyers remain responsible for exercising appropriate professional judgment and, where necessary, reviewing, verifying, editing and adapting that material before relying upon it or providing it to a client, court, tribunal or third party.
We take reasonable steps appropriate to the circumstances to verify relevant legal authorities, legislation, factual information and other material produced or identified with the assistance of AI.
4. Confidentiality and legal professional privilege
Our professional obligations concerning client confidentiality and legal professional privilege apply regardless of whether technology or AI is used in providing legal services.
Maitland Legal will not knowingly disclose confidential or privileged client information through an AI Tool where doing so would be inconsistent with our professional, contractual or legal obligations.
We do not use publicly available AI Tools as repositories for confidential, privileged or sensitive client information where the confidentiality and security of that information cannot appropriately be protected.
Where an AI Tool may process client or matter information, we will consider the nature of the information, the purpose for which the Tool is being used, the security and privacy arrangements applying to the Tool and our legal and professional obligations.
5. Privacy and personal information
Maitland Legal handles personal information in accordance with applicable privacy laws and our Privacy Policy.
Where an AI Tool processes personal information, we take reasonable steps appropriate to the circumstances to ensure that our use of that information is consistent with applicable privacy requirements.
This may include considering:
whether it is necessary to provide the information to the AI Tool;
whether information can reasonably be removed, minimised, de-identified or otherwise protected;
how the provider of the AI Tool collects, stores, processes, accesses and uses information;
whether information may be used to train or improve an AI model;
the location in which information may be stored or processed;
applicable security and access controls; and
whether consent, notification or another legal basis is required before information is processed in that manner.
Where specific consent is required by law for a particular use of personal or sensitive information, Maitland Legal will seek that consent or will not use the information for that purpose.
Our use of AI does not alter your rights in relation to your personal information under applicable privacy laws.
6. Third-party AI providers
Some AI Tools used by Maitland Legal may be provided by third-party technology providers.
Before using third-party AI services in circumstances involving client information, we may assess matters such as the provider's contractual terms, privacy practices, security measures, data retention arrangements and controls concerning the use of information for model training or other secondary purposes.
The safeguards required will depend upon the nature and sensitivity of the information and the intended use of the AI Tool.
7. AI and court or tribunal proceedings
Additional requirements may apply to the use of AI in litigation and other court or tribunal proceedings.
Where Maitland Legal uses AI in connection with a proceeding, we will have regard to applicable legislation, court rules, practice notes, directions and professional obligations concerning the use and disclosure of AI.
Where required, this may include verifying AI-assisted content, maintaining appropriate records concerning its use and disclosing the use of AI to a court, tribunal, another party or another person.
Where the applicable rules or the circumstances of a matter make the use of AI inappropriate, we may restrict or refrain from using AI.
8. Responsibility for our legal services
The use of an AI Tool does not transfer responsibility for our legal services to the provider or developer of that Tool.
Our lawyers remain professionally responsible for the legal services they provide and must exercise their own professional judgment in advising clients.
AI-generated material is not provided directly to a client as legal advice merely because it has been generated by an AI Tool. Legal advice issued by Maitland Legal is provided under the responsibility and supervision of Maitland Legal.
9. No automated legal decision-making
Unless we specifically inform you otherwise, Maitland Legal does not use AI to autonomously make final decisions concerning the legal advice provided to a client or the substantive conduct of a client's legal matter.
AI may assist our lawyers to analyse information or prepare material, but substantive legal decisions and advice remain subject to appropriate human oversight and professional judgment.
10. Client preferences and concerns
We recognise that clients may have questions or concerns about the use of AI in connection with their legal matter.
If you have particular confidentiality, privacy, security or other requirements concerning the use of AI, you should raise them with the lawyer responsible for your matter.
Where reasonably practicable and consistent with our professional obligations, we will consider any specific request concerning the use of AI in your matter. Depending on the nature of the request, restricting the use of particular technologies may affect the manner, timing or cost of providing legal services.
11. Changes to this policy
AI technology, regulation and professional standards continue to develop.
Maitland Legal may update this Artificial Intelligence Use Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our practices, technology, professional obligations or applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
The current version of this policy will be published on our website.
12. Further information
If you have any questions about Maitland Legal's use of artificial intelligence in providing legal services, please contact us.