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Reflections from a SOCAL Member on a ����ɫ���� Webinar

By Matthew Chin Barnes, Events Officer, SOCAL

As one of ’s Events Officers, I’m always seeking opportunities to connect our members with meaningful conversations that shape the future of our profession. For those I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting, I qualified as a lawyer in Barbados in 2022 and later moved to London to pursue a Master’s in International Tax Law. That journey led me to Tolley and ����ɫ����, where I’ve witnessed firsthand the company’s transformation into a pioneering AI-driven legal content provider.

What I’ve come to admire about ����ɫ���� is its commitment to the Caribbean legal community. So, when the internal team reached out to ask if SOCAL members would be interested in being invited to a webinar on “The Future of Caribbean Law – Challenges, Growth & Harnessing AI,” I was elated. The answer was a resounding yes.

The panel featured legal professionals from across the region, including (Bahamas), (Barbados), and (St Kitts & Nevis), moderated by and of ����ɫ����. The discussion was rich, honest, and forward-looking.

Key takeaways from the webinar

1. The ongoing challenges for Caribbean law firms

The panellists spoke openly about the persistent challenges that many Caribbean law firms continue to face. Unreliable internet access, high operational costs, and the pressure to meet international standards with limited resources were common concerns.

Maurisha Robinson’s reflections were especially memorable. She described the realities of running a boutique firm with just three lawyers, all working hard to exceed client expectations despite limited capacity. What struck me most was her point about the lack of scaled pricing for small firms. They often pay the same for software and memberships as larger firms, without the same financial cushion. It highlighted how structural inequities can quietly undermine the resilience of smaller practices.

2. The rise of the “Tamarind Tree Lawyer”

A recurring theme was the shift in client behaviour. More and more, clients are arriving with their own research in hand, often pulled from the internet, and expecting lawyers to simply confirm what they’ve already concluded.

This trend, memorably described by one of the panellists as the rise of the ‘Tamarind Tree Lawyer' is changing the dynamic between lawyer and client. It’s no longer just about providing answers, but about helping clients understand the value of professional interpretation and legal strategy. In a world where information is easy to find, the real challenge is showing why expertise still matters.

3. AI: A tool to empower, not replace

There was strong agreement that AI is not a threat to the legal profession, but a tool that can enhance it. Ryan and Maurisha both shared how AI is already helping their firms deliver services more quickly and affordably, especially in areas like document review and research.

Maurisha made a compelling case for how AI can help small firms compete more effectively by increasing efficiency without increasing headcount. But Ebrahim offered an important reminder. He stressed the need to use AI responsibly, with proper oversight and verification. His example of a lawyer being disbarred for submitting fake cases generated by ChatGPT was a sobering one. While AI can be a powerful ally, it needs to be grounded in trusted content, so it can be used with care and integrity.

My reflections: Why AI won’t replace us

As someone who uses multiple large language models (LLM) daily, I understand the unease many legal professionals feel. The fear that AI might render us obsolete is not unfounded. I’ve asked myself more than once: in a world where machines can do so much, what makes my role still essential?

What I’ve come to realise is that human oversight remains irreplaceable. Just as a senior lawyer reviews a junior’s draft, AI outputs must be checked, contextualised, and refined by a human mind. AI lacks the discernment that comes from lived experience. In courtrooms, where so much communication is non-verbal, the ability to read tone, body language, and cultural nuance is something no algorithm can replicate.

There’s also the matter of accountability. You can’t sue a robot for bad advice. Legal liability still rests with us. And in a world flooded with AI-generated content, clients will increasingly seek the assurance that their legal advice has been vetted by a real expert. That human touch will become a premium.

AI is changing how we work, but it doesn’t change why we work. Those who learn to use it wisely will find themselves not replaced, but redefined.

AI as a tool for justice and equity

Having lived in Barbados for many years, I’ve seen firsthand how under-resourced jurisdictions could benefit from AI. It presents a real opportunity to modernise outdated registries, digitise fragmented legislation, and reduce the time spent on repetitive administrative tasks. As Ebrahim aptly put it, “AI gets us there faster, like a car to St Lucy  (The northern tip of Barbados for the non-Bajans), but we still need to be present.” That presence means more time for advocacy, client care, and yes, even time with family.

AI also holds real promise for expanding access to justice. I’m more than willing to welcome the rise of “Tamarind Lawyers” if it means more people are engaging with the law, understanding their rights, and seeking help when it matters most. These tools can support those who can’t afford legal services and strengthen the capacity of firms doing pro bono work. For the most vulnerable in our communities, AI could be a powerful bridge to legal empowerment.

Still, with this potential comes a responsibility to safeguard the integrity of the legal system. As AI-generated content becomes more common, our courts will need to adapt - not just to detect misinformation, but to set clear standards for what constitutes credible, human-reviewed legal work. This isn’t just about filtering out hallucinations. It’s about ensuring that technology enhances justice rather than undermines it. The future of legal practice must be built on both innovation and trust.

My AI guidance

My advice for using AI effectively has always been simple: learn how to give direction. This means clearly communicating your vision and the steps needed to achieve it.

When I gave a guest lecture at Goldsmiths discussing my time doing a tax research for a top Magic Circle firm, I was asked about what the most valuable skill would be that the students could develop. I could have offered something generic, but instead, I shared what truly made a difference - effective delegation.

During that time, I watched my senior lead complex, high-stakes matters not by doing everything themselves, but by giving clear direction to a global network of support. That same principle applies to AI. The best results come from those who can articulate what they want and guide the tool toward it.

The sooner we master this, the sooner AI becomes less of a threat and more like a trusted assistant.

Final thoughts

As Caribbean legal professionals, we are at a turning point. Ebrahim Lakhi said it best to close the webinar: “We stand at a crossroads.” How we respond to change will shape the future of the legal profession and the communities we serve.

AI is not something to fear. Its value lies in how we choose to use it. With care, curiosity, and a focus on equity, we can strengthen a legal system that is more accessible, efficient, and just.

The future of Caribbean law is not just about adopting new technologies. It is about how we, as a community, choose to lead -with integrity, with vision, and with each other.

If you missed the webinar or would like to revisit the discussion, you can watch the recording here:

👉 Watch the Webinar: