Course Overview

This course is designed to equip lawyers with the knowledge and practical skills to effectively utilise Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT in their daily professional activities. Participants will explore the capabilities, applications, limitations, and ethical considerations of using AI tools in legal practice.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

● Understand what LLMs and ChatGPT are, including their functionalities and limitations.
● Identify practical applications of ChatGPT in various legal tasks.
● Navigate emerging policies and ethical considerations related to AI use in the legal field.
● Apply best practices for integrating ChatGPT into legal research, document drafting, and client communication.
● Recognise the impact of AI on the legal profession and adapt to evolving roles.

Course Outline

1. Introduction to Large Language Models and ChatGPT (20 minutes)

 1.1 What are LLMs?
○ Overview of AI and machine learning.
○ Explanation of Large Language Models.

1.2 Understanding ChatGPT
○ How ChatGPT works.
○ Capabilities and functionalities specific to legal practice.

 1.3 The Rise of AI in Law
○ Historical context and evolution.
○ Current trends and future projections.

2. Capabilities and Limitations of ChatGPT (20 minutes)

2.1 Productivity Enhancement
○ Automating mundane tasks.
○ Time-saving benefits.

2.2 Limitations and Risks
○ Data sources and knowledge cutoff dates.
○ Accuracy and reliability concerns.
○ The necessity of human oversight.

2.3 Ethical and Legal Considerations
○ Bias in AI outputs.
○ Privacy and confidentiality issues.
○ Intellectual property rights.

3. Practical Applications in Legal Practice (40 minutes)

3.1 Legal Research
○ Quickly retrieving case laws and statutes.
○ Summarising legal documents.

3.2 Document Generation
○ Drafting contracts, pleadings, and legal forms.
○ Creating templates and standard clauses.

3.3 Case Management and Discovery
○ Managing deadlines and procedural requirements.
○ Assisting in e-discovery and due diligence.

3.4 Client Communication
○ Drafting client emails and updates.
○ Translating complex legal jargon into plain language.

3.5 Internal Knowledge Management
○ Organising and retrieving internal documents.
○ Assisting in training and onboarding materials.