“98% of Australian legal professionals use AI. Only 39% have embedded it into their daily workflows.”
From the 2026 Legal Insights Report
The data-driven insights you need to make smarter technology decisions for your firm
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Where AI governance is falling short and the real risks it creates for data security, client disclosure, and firm reputation
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What clients look for when choosing a lawyer and how they feel when they discover AI played a role in their matter
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Why legal professionals are working longer hours than they signed up for, and what that pattern costs firms over time
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Benchmarks to measure your firm’s technology strategy, pricing model, and client communication against the wider Australian market
A study of the legal market taken at the precise moment when the decisions firms make today will shape their competitive position for years to come.
Research that captures what lawyers believe about how their firms operate, and what members of the public actually experience when they use legal services.
The context your firm needs to make better decisions on technology, on clients, on people, and on where the market is heading next.
Download the free report
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Legal Insights Report
The 2026 Legal Insights Report is Clio’s first dedicated study of the Australian legal market. Drawing on original research with 533 legal professionals and 500 members of the public, it examines how firms are navigating AI adoption, client expectations, pricing shifts, and the growing tension between strong performance metrics and unsustainable working patterns. It gives firm leaders a clear, data-driven view of where the profession stands today, and what separates the firms building lasting competitive advantage from those that aren’t.
Inside the report
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The execution gap
Buying technology isn’t the same as using it. Why most firms are still stuck in the gap and what the ones pulling ahead are doing differently.
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The AI transparency problem
84% of firms say they disclose AI use to clients, yet 11% have no formal policy governing its use. What that disconnect means for trust, governance, and your firm’s reputation.
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Growth without balance
Revenue is strong. Client satisfaction is high. But legal professionals work more than they want to. What the real cost of growth is, and where the pressure is building.
We’re on a mission to transform the legal experience for all.
Clio is the global leader in legal AI technology, empowering legal professionals and law firms of all sizes to work smarter, faster, and more securely. Trusted by hundreds of thousands of users in over 130 countries, Clio’s Intelligent Legal Work Platform combines powerful technology with industry-leading security to define the future of legal work.
FAQs
What is the Australian Legal Insights Report?
It’s Clio’s first dedicated research study of the Australian legal market, based on original survey data from 533 practising lawyers and legal staff, plus 500 members of the public. It covers AI adoption and governance, client trust, pricing models, working patterns, and what high-performing firms are doing differently.
Who should read the Legal Insights Report?
The report is designed for law firm leaders, legal operations professionals, and anyone responsible for technology strategy or client experience. It provides benchmarks to compare your firm’s position on AI maturity, pricing, disclosure practices, and sustainable growth.
How can law firms use the findings from the report?
The data gives you a clear benchmark to assess where your firm stands on AI adoption and governance, whether your pricing model reflects where clients are today, and whether your team’s working patterns are sustainable.
How does this report differ from other legal industry reports?
Most industry research covers the legal market broadly. This report is built specifically around Australia, combining surveys of legal professionals and clients with analysis of AI adoption, workflow integration, and operational performance. The findings are interpreted alongside Clio’s global research on legal technology, cognitive load, and firm performance, providing local insight within a broader context.
What legal technology trends does the report highlight?
The report covers AI adoption and maturity across firm sizes, governance and disclosure practices around AI use, the shift from hourly to fixed-fee billing, and how client expectations around communication and transparency are evolving.