The partnership begins in January 2026 and ends in June 2027
The ACT Bar Association has signed an exclusive partnership with legal tech company AI Legal Assistant to train barristers on AI use.
The partnership begins in January 2026 and ends in June 2027. AI Legal Assistant will conduct hands-on training and CPD events for barristers, as well as providing technical updates on a regular basis.
According to an AI Legal Assistant press release, this is the first formal endorsement of an AI platform for professional development by an Australian bar.
“Legal technology is no longer optional – it's an essential competency for modern practice. Rather than leaving our members to navigate AI adoption alone, we're providing structured education”, ACT Bar Council president Prue Bindon said. “This is about professional competence in a changing landscape. Our members need to understand AI capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations. This partnership gives them the tools and knowledge to practise confidently in the modern legal environment”.
The initiative is aligned with the strategies outlined in the ACT Bar’s Strategic Plan 2022-2026, which included providing professional development and education to barristers and championing innovative ways to work. Under the partnership, three virtual CPD events have been set to run throughout the 18-month term, with the first scheduled for 28 March 2026 at the ACT Bar Conference.
The partnership includes the release of technical newsletters each quarter and continuous support for members. The ACT Bar will communicate quarterly AI Legal Assistant updates and legal tech developments.
AI Legal Assistant CEO Samuel Junghenn pointed out that few legal professionals undergo proper AI training; per a global UNESCO survey conducted last year, just 9% of judicial operators said their organisations provided guidelines or AI training even though 44% of respondents were already using AI tools in legal work.
“Barristers face unique challenges as sole practitioners without the IT departments or training budgets that large firms have. This partnership with the ACT Bar Association isn't about selling software – it's about establishing a sustainable model for professional education that other bar associations can follow. When a respected professional body provides structured training, it gives barristers confidence to adopt AI responsibly rather than avoiding it altogether or using it without proper guidance”, Junghenn said.
AI Legal Assistant was launched in January 2023. It focuses on developing agentic AI for legal workflows and operates across Australia and New Zealand.
