Legal expense insurance provider launches AI lawyer in South Africa

Legal&Tax and Legal Interact are proud to announce the launch of an innovative new AI lawyer that provides legal advice in South Africa. With a focus on democratizing the ability to access legal help, the AI lawyer has been built on the Open AI / ChatGPT framework and incorporates the expertise of qualified lawyers at Legal&Tax using WhatsApp's Conversational AI platform.

The AI lawyer has been contextualised to provide answers that align with the South African legal system. The Legal&Tax lawyers and Legal Interact developers have placed guardrails on the Open AI backbone to ensure that its answers are based on South African law.

Try it now

If you have a legal matter you need advice on, or just want to try out the Legal&Tax AI lawyer and save the number for when you do need advice click here, or send AI to +27 (71) 526 8527 from your WhatsApp. The same WhatsApp will empower you to speak to a human if you need.

Democratising justice

In line with the United Nations sustainable development goals of providing access to justice for all, this AI technology will enable South Africans to quickly access legal insights and advice in the palm of their hand. The AI technology curated by Legal Interact has been incorporated into the Legal&Tax WhatsApp framework, making it easily accessible and simple to use. The AI chat interface is powered through the LivePerson (NASDAQ: LPSN) conversational platform.

Understanding its capabilities

While the AI lawyer provides valuable insights, it is important to note that it is not a fully-fledged lawyer. It is recommended that users check in with a qualified Legal&Tax professional before making any legal decisions.

The AI is a first step to finding the right answers to your legal questions, but if your matter escalates, Legal&Tax, an authorised financial services provider, has a team of qualified lawyers and provides legal expense insurance underwritten by Centriq Insurance Company Limited (“Centriq”), a licensed non-life insurer and authorised financial services provider, FSP No. 3417 to help you ensure justice is carried out.

When will it be available?

The teams are excited to release the AI lawyer ahead of South Africa's Freedom Day on 27 April 2023. This day commemorates the first democratic elections held in South Africa in 1994 and led to the development of the Bill of Rights and the South African Constitution, which is based on the foundational values of human dignity, equality, and freedom for all people of South Africa.

What will it cost to use?

At the moment the Legal&Tax AI lawyer is free to use (other than data costs). In time it will be available on a subscription basis, and to existing Legal&Tax legal plan clients.

Legal&Tax and Legal Interact are confident that this new AI technology will help extend the massive strides South Africa has made in ensuring every citizen has access to justice. They look forward to helping empower South Africans with this new tool and ushering in a new era of accessible legal advice.

What the businesses had to say about the launch