Separating legal information from legal advice
- kholmes21
- Oct 21
- 2 min read
https://nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articles/law/access-to-justice/2023/separating-legal-information-from-legal-advice BY Sarah A. Sutherland
In her thoughtful commentary, Sarah A. Sutherland highlights one of the most persistent barriers to innovation in the legal system: the uncertainty between what counts as legal information versus legal advice. As she notes, “the rules governing law practice across Canada impose restrictions on providing legal advice… it isn’t clear where the line between legal advice and information lies.” This ambiguity stifles innovation and prevents the development of tools that could improve access to justice.
Sutherland points out that advances in computing now make it possible to deliver tailored legal information — sometimes even drafting documents or answering complex questions — but regulatory grey zones keep innovators cautious. As she explains, “widely available technologies like ChatGPT… make it nearly impossible to enforce the restrictions,” forcing us to rethink how law, technology, and regulation intersect.
At LegalFocusAI, this is exactly the challenge we’re tackling. Our mission is to help people understand their legal situations clearly and safely — without crossing into the territory of legal advice. We believe, like Sutherland, that the public good depends on innovation, not stagnation. By responsibly combining AI with verified legal data, we can bridge the access-to-justice gap, reduce stress for individuals in crisis, and support lawyers and legal professionals who want to serve clients more efficiently.
The conversation Sutherland raises is not abstract — it’s a call to action. If we want to make the justice system more equitable, we need thoughtful frameworks, like regulatory sandboxes, that protect the public while allowing responsible experimentation. As she writes, “finding effective ways to navigate these challenges is imperative if the public and the legal sector are ever to benefit fully from emerging technologies.”
At LegalFocusAI, we share that belief — that technology can and should empower people, not replace professionals. Together, innovators, lawyers, and regulators can create a future where understanding your legal rights doesn’t require privilege, money, or luck — just access.
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