AI Solo Readiness Self-Assessment

A quick free check before using AI in solo legal practice.

AI can be useful in solo legal practice.

However before using it for client work, a solo lawyer should have a clear sense of the purpose, the tool, the information being entered, and how the output will be checked.

This short self-assessment is designed to help you identify whether you may need a more detailed AI readiness check.

Answer each question:

  • Yes

  • Not sure

  • No

1. Purpose

Can you clearly explain why you are using AI in your practice?

2. Tools

Do you know which AI tools are being used, and for what purpose?

3. Settings

Have you checked the privacy, training, data and security settings of those tools?

4. Client information

Have you decided what client information should not be entered into AI tools?

5. Review

Do you personally check AI output before it goes to a client, court, tribunal, opponent or third party?

6. Verification

Do you verify legal authorities, legislation, facts, deadlines and figures before relying on AI output?

7. Professional impact

Have you considered whether AI use affects your court obligations, client terms, pricing or file records?

What your answers may indicate

Mostly Yes

You appear to have some of the basic AI readiness issues under control.

The next step is to work through a more detailed checklist before using AI in client, confidential, privileged or court-facing work.

Mixed / Not Sure

You may be using or considering AI without enough structure around tool choice, client information, verification and professional responsibility.

That is common, but it is not something to ignore.

Mostly No

You are probably not ready to use AI for client, confidential, privileged or court-facing legal work without further controls.

Your Next Step

Our full AI Readiness Checklist For Solo Lawyers helps you work through the key issues in more detail, including:

  • use cases;

  • risk levels;

  • tool choice;

  • confidentiality;

  • privilege;

  • privacy;

  • verification;

  • court and evidence work;

  • cyber controls;

  • pricing; and

  • file records.

Important Note

This self-assessment is a practical issue-spotting tool only.

It is general in nature and does not replace professional judgment, legal advice, current professional conduct obligations, court practice notes, privacy obligations, cyber guidance, or the terms of any AI product or tool.

It is not an official regulator, court or professional body document and does not certify that a practice is compliant or “AI safe”.

Buy The AI Readiness Checklist For Solo Lawyers Here