An international law firm has instructed its junior lawyers to dedicate 20% of their billable time to studying artificial intelligence, Law Society Gazette reports.

The directive marks a significant shift in how one major practice treats AI training. Rather than confining AI literacy to optional seminars or non-billable professional development, the firm has made AI study part of the billable working week for its junior cohort.

Under the policy, juniors are expected to allocate a fifth of their chargeable hours to learning about AI — how the technology works, how it applies to legal practice, and how it is reshaping client service and workflow.

The move reflects a growing recognition within the profession that AI competence is becoming as fundamental as traditional legal skills. Firms across the market have been experimenting with AI tools for drafting, research and document review, but formal structured training embedded in billable hours remains rare.

For junior lawyers, the policy carries practical consequences. Time spent on AI study counts toward billable targets, removing the tension that often deters trainees and associates from investing hours in learning rather than chargeable output. It also signals that the firm regards AI proficiency as a career-critical skill rather than an optional extra.

For practitioners more broadly, the development raises questions about how legal education and training obligations will evolve. If AI competence becomes a formal expectation at major firms, pressure may grow on training providers, regulators and professional bodies to reflect that in qualification requirements and continuing professional development frameworks.

The firm's approach also points to a competitive dynamic. Practices that build AI fluency early among their junior ranks may gain an edge in efficiency and in winning work from clients who increasingly expect technology-driven service delivery.

The instruction to juniors comes as the legal sector continues to debate the appropriate balance between embracing AI tools and maintaining professional standards, including duties of confidentiality, supervision and accuracy.