55% of Victorian lawyers use AI, but just over a quarter cut fees
AI use among Victorian lawyers jumped to 55 per cent, but just 26 per cent cut fees.
A census of 2,221 Victorian lawyers found AI adoption climbed from 37 per cent to 55 per cent in the past year. Most use general chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude rather than legal-specific tools.
Most lawyers' efficiency gains have not translated to lower costs for their clients. Only 26 per cent of lawyers reported reducing fees, and those reductions were more common for corporate clients (34 per cent) than for individuals (23 per cent).
The survey found a hidden cost: 46 per cent of lawyers said clients now arrive with inaccurate information from AI, and 41 per cent present AI-generated documents requiring correction. Nearly half of lawyers report this adds time and effort to their work.
AI use varies by practice area, ranging from 85 per cent in trade practices to 29 per cent in criminal law.
- 2,221
- Lawyers surveyed
- 37 per cent to 55 per cent
- AI adoption increase
- 26 per cent
- Lawyers reducing fees
- 46 per cent
- Clients with AI errors
Why it mattersLawyers adopt AI to save time and money, but clients see no fee reduction and may face more errors in their legal work.
AustraliaVictorian renters and others seeking legal advice may pay the same fees while lawyers spend time fixing AI-generated mistakes in their cases.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
