Artificial intelligence is emerging as a new source of legal and financial pressure for UK businesses, with more than a third now reporting a rise in low-merit claims generated using AI tools, according to new research from Irwin Mitchell.

The study, based on a survey of more than 80 senior in-house lawyers, highlights how AI is reshaping the litigation landscape—creating not only new efficiencies, but also new risks. Businesses say AI-generated claims are increasing legal workloads, absorbing senior management time and driving up costs at a moment when many organisations are already operating under tight margins.

Around 35% of in-house legal teams reported an uptick in claims, particularly from customers, where AI tools are being used to produce lengthy, highly structured legal arguments. While many of these claims lack substantive merit, they are often sophisticated enough to require detailed review and formal response.

Katie Byrne, Head of Commercial Dispute Resolution at Irwin Mitchell, said these claims are rarely successful but still impose a material burden on businesses.

“In-house teams are dealing with a growing volume of AI-generated, low-merit claims. Many are lengthy, legalistic and built from templates. Businesses say they rarely stand up, but they still consume time and budget, and are driving greater spend on cyber cover and claims handling,” she said.

The result is a growing layer of administrative and legal friction, particularly for mid-sized firms without extensive internal legal resources.

Alongside the rise in AI-generated claims, the research underscores a broader shift in legal risk priorities. Data protection and privacy breaches are now seen as the most significant AI-related litigation threat, cited by 55% of respondents.

Cyber insurance costs are also rising sharply. Nearly 70% of businesses reported higher premiums, while two-thirds said they are either expanding their cyber cover or reassessing liability limits in response to evolving threats.

This reflects growing concern at board level that AI, while improving productivity, also introduces new vectors for data leakage, misuse and compliance failures.

Despite the challenges, businesses are increasingly deploying AI themselves to manage the rising complexity of disputes. The research found that 64% of legal teams are already using AI tools to support litigation workflows, particularly in areas such as document review, disclosure and early case assessment.

More than half (51%) have also introduced internal governance frameworks to regulate the use of AI in legal processes, reflecting a growing emphasis on responsible deployment.

Byrne said the response from leading organisations is not to resist AI, but to integrate it strategically.

“Boards shouldn’t panic—they should prepare. The immediate priorities we’re seeing are clear governance for AI use, staff training to avoid data leakage, and practical triage to separate credible claims from AI-padded complaints,” she said.

The findings point to a wider evolution in how UK businesses view legal risk. Litigation is increasingly seen as an operational necessity rather than a reactive last resort, with 69% of respondents describing it as a strategic investment.

This shift is being driven by a combination of factors, including rising cyber threats, regulatory complexity and supply chain disruption. Cyber-related risks were cited most frequently (35%), followed by supply chain issues (21%) and regulatory divergence (17%).

Environmental and greenwashing claims are also gaining prominence, identified as the leading ESG-related legal risk by 33% of respondents.

The report also highlights mixed adoption of alternative litigation funding. While just over half of businesses use it occasionally, concerns around cost, complexity and loss of control continue to limit wider uptake.

Looking ahead, the intersection of AI and legal risk is expected to intensify. As generative tools become more accessible, the volume of automated claims is likely to increase further, forcing businesses to invest more heavily in both defensive and operational capabilities.

For UK firms already navigating economic uncertainty, the emergence of AI-driven litigation represents another layer of cost and complexity, one that will require a more sophisticated, technology-enabled approach to legal risk management.

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Legal technology company Harvey has signed Suits actor Gabriel Macht as a brand ambassador in an unusual move for the B2B sector, as competition intensifies in the fast-growing legal AI market.

Macht, best known for playing high-powered corporate lawyer Harvey Specter in the hit TV series, will partner with the company whose name was directly inspired by his on-screen character. The role marks a rare crossover between entertainment and enterprise software, where celebrity endorsements remain relatively uncommon.

While consumer technology brands have long leveraged star power, from Apple’s collaborations with musicians to Logitech’s campaigns featuring Hollywood actors, such partnerships are far less typical in enterprise-focused industries such as legal technology. However, the move signals a shift as AI firms seek broader brand recognition in an increasingly crowded market.

Macht said his decision to work with Harvey was rooted in the company’s trajectory and its approach to responsible AI deployment.

“I’m partnering with Harvey because I care about where this company goes,” he said. “I want to support a responsible approach that keeps public interest in view. Harvey’s momentum over the last three-plus years has made it a leading legal AI platform, helping teams change the way they work with AI, faster and with more clarity.”

Founded to bring generative AI into legal workflows, Harvey has rapidly gained traction among law firms and corporate legal departments looking to automate research, contract analysis and document drafting. Its growth reflects a broader shift across the legal profession, where firms are under pressure to improve efficiency while maintaining accuracy and compliance.

The partnership also coincides with the launch of Harvey’s new Instagram presence, @askharvey, as the company looks to build a more visible and accessible brand identity beyond traditional enterprise sales channels.

Winston Weinberg, co-founder and chief executive of Harvey, said Macht’s association with the legal profession made him a natural fit for the company’s next phase of growth.

“Gabriel’s legendary performance as a lawyer continues to inspire people to pursue law,” he said. “There’s no better spokesperson to support Harvey’s global brand growth and the launch of our Instagram account.”

The announcement follows a growing trend of brand-building across the legal AI sector. Earlier this month, rival platform Legora entered into a sponsorship agreement with Swedish golfer Ludvig Åberg, placing its branding in a sporting context more typically associated with consumer-facing companies.

Such moves highlight how even highly specialised software firms are increasingly adopting marketing strategies borrowed from consumer industries, as they compete not just on product capability but on visibility, trust and cultural relevance.

For Harvey, the alignment with a character synonymous with confidence, precision and legal excellence is likely to resonate with a profession navigating rapid technological change. Whether that translates into tangible commercial advantage remains to be seen, but the signal is clear: legal tech is no longer content to operate quietly in the background.

As artificial intelligence continues to redefine how legal work is delivered, firms like Harvey are not only racing to build the most capable platforms, but also the most recognisable brands.

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A new tax break is available this filing season for taxpayers who have car loans on vehicles that meet certain specifications.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which was passed through Congress by Republicans using the reconciliation process and signed into law last year by President Donald Trump, included a provision allowing interest on car loans to be deducted under certain circumstances. 

The IRS released guidance on the implementation of the “No Tax on Car Loan Interest” provision of the OBBBA, which applies to loans taken out to purchase new personal vehicles — not business or commercial vehicles — that were made in America after Dec. 31, 2024. Lease payments do not qualify.

Taxpayers whose auto loans qualify for the interest deduction may deduct up to $10,000 per year, and the deduction is available for both taxpayers who itemize their deductions and those who claim the standard deduction on their return.

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The deduction is subject to income requirements and phases out for higher-income taxpayers who have a modified adjusted gross income of over $100,000 for single filers or $200,000 for joint filers.

Like other tax deductions, the auto loan interest deduction reduces the taxpayer’s taxable income by the amount of interest payments they claimed up to the $10,000 annual limit, which means the actual tax savings will be smaller than the nominal size of the tax deduction.

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Under the OBBBA, the auto loan interest deduction is only applicable to vehicles that underwent final assembly in the U.S. 

To confirm that a vehicle’s final assembly was in the U.S., taxpayers are instructed to check one of the following: the vehicle label at the dealership, the vehicle identification number (VIN) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s VIN Decoder, which can verify the vehicle’s final assembly location.

Taxpayers must include the vehicle’s VIN on their tax returns for each year they claim the deduction.

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If a qualifying auto loan is later refinanced, the interest paid on the refinanced loan would generally be eligible for the deduction.

The deduction applies retroactively to the 2025 tax year, meaning it may be used for eligible auto loan interest payments incurred after Dec. 31, 2024.

The OBBBA included a number of temporary tax provisions that will sunset after several years to help the bill comply with Congress’ reconciliation rules.

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The auto loan interest deduction was one of those temporary provisions, and it’s scheduled to remain in effect through the end of 2028, when it will sunset unless Congress acts to extend the policy.

Farmers and business owners have launched a High Court challenge against the government’s inheritance tax reforms, arguing that ministers acted unlawfully by failing to properly consult on changes that could reshape the future of family-run enterprises.

The two-day judicial review, which began on 17 March at the Royal Courts of Justice, will examine whether Chancellor Rachel Reeves breached established consultation principles when altering Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR).

The case has been brought by Cambridgeshire farmer Tom Martin, alongside his father George Martin and campaign group Farmers and Businesses for Fair Tax Relief. The claim is supported by law firm Collyer Bristow on behalf of advisory firm Alvarez & Marsal.

At the heart of the legal argument is the government’s Tax Consultation Framework, introduced in 2011, which commits ministers to conducting at least one formal public consultation on major tax reforms. The claimants argue that the inheritance tax changes, which affect how farms and businesses are passed down through generations, clearly meet that threshold but were introduced without meaningful engagement.

Speaking ahead of the hearing, Tom Martin said he had been forced to leave his farm work to pursue legal action, describing the case as a fight for fairness. Outside the court, campaigners gathered under banners reading “Keep Farms and Firms in the Family”, highlighting growing unrest across rural and business communities.

Under the proposed changes, due to take effect from April 2026, inheritance tax relief will be structured as follows:
• 100% relief on the first £2.5 million of qualifying agricultural and business assets
• 50% relief on assets above that threshold
• Up to £5 million relief for married couples or civil partners, plus standard allowances
• Any tax liabilities payable over 10 years, interest-free

While the government has positioned the reforms as a balanced approach to taxation, critics argue they could fundamentally alter succession planning for family-owned farms and enterprises.

Legal representatives for the claimants say the absence of consultation has created significant uncertainty.

Alexander Marcham, managing director at Alvarez & Marsal Tax, said many affected businesses have been built over generations and now face difficult decisions without clarity. He warned that the reforms could disrupt long-term planning around succession, investment and ownership structures.

The claimants argue that the failure to consult denied them a voice in policy development, particularly given the scale of the financial and operational implications.

The government is contesting the case, maintaining that judicial intervention would risk crossing into parliamentary territory. However, the claimants counter that the decision not to consult occurred before legislation reached Parliament, making it open to legal challenge.

A ruling is not expected immediately. Judgment is likely to be reserved and delivered in writing within the next few months.

Beyond the immediate tax implications, the case could set an important precedent for how major fiscal policy is developed in the UK. If the court finds in favour of the claimants, it may reinforce the requirement for formal consultation on significant tax reforms, potentially reshaping how future budgets and policy changes are introduced.

For now, however, farming families and business owners remain in a state of uncertainty, awaiting a decision that could have lasting consequences for generational wealth, rural economies and the broader business landscape.

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‘Markets are evolving, and so are we. 2025 has been a year of significant activity for the group’

Property services firm LSL has highlighted strong market share after seeing its full year revenue and profits rise. The Newcastle-based group – whose brands include estate agents Your Move, Reeds Rains, and e.surv Chartered Surveyors – has published results for 2025, showing a 6% rise in revenue to £182.9m and a 3% rise in operating profit to £22.6m.

The group, which includes mortgage intermediaries, estate agency franchisees, and valuation services for lenders, said it maintained strong market share in all three of its divisions of financial services, surveying and valuation, and estate agency franchising in a year in which it said it has “building momentum”.

In a breakdown of performance LSL, which has 62 estate agency franchisees operating 293 branches, said its surveying and valuation division increased by 10% compared to 2024, as a result of a 9% increase in jobs performed and 1% increase in income per job. Its financial services division remained broadly flat with revenue of £48.8m compared to the 2024 figure of £48.4m.

Meanwhile, its estate agency franchising division fell by 2% to £26.5m, despite seeing an increase of 10% in residential sales growth.

In its Stock Market note to shareholders, directors said: “The Estate Agency Franchise business revenue was £26.5m, with the decrease entirely due to the LSL Land and New Homes business, due to the Ministry of Defence’s decision to bring a significant contract back in house.

“Supporting the growth of franchisees is of paramount importance, including the provision of loans to facilitate letting book acquisitions. In 2025, loans were granted enabling the acquisition of ten lettings books, adding 1,400 properties to the lettings portfolio. The Estate Agency Franchise business continued to deliver a robust residential sales performance, with sales related royalties increasing 12% year-on-year in a market which increased by 10%.”

Looking ahead, LSL said it is confident it will boost profits further in 2026, despite the uncertain market outlook.

It said group underlying operating profit – excluding exceptional items, contingent consideration assets and liabilities, amortisation of intangible assets, share-based payments and other sources of earnings from joint venture – were £32.6m, up 17%, which included over £1m of National Insurance Contribution tax increases.

The company’s £7m share buy-back programme has been completed and a newly-enlarged £12m share buy-back programme was launched in January.

Adam Castleton, group chief executive of LSL, said: “2025 has been a year of strong delivery and building momentum for LSL. We improved profitability across each division, achieved record margins and generated strong cash, while continuing to invest for future growth.

“Markets are evolving, and so are we. 2025 has been a year of significant activity for the group. We are focused on disciplined execution and converting the scale and capability of the group into sustained profit growth and continued high returns on capital. Trading in 2026 has been in line with our expectations.”

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HDFC Bank’s American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) fell another 4%, indicating extending of losses after the stock’s sharp correction on Thursday that saw it shed about 5% and briefly erase nearly Rs 1 lakh crore in investor wealth. The continued weakness in ADRs reflects lingering investor concerns following the abrupt resignation of former chairman Atanu Chakraborty, even as the bank’s management and board have sought to downplay the development.

On Thursday, the stock witnessed heavy selling pressure, with market cap erosion at one point touching around Rs 1 lakh crore. The selloff was triggered after Chakraborty stepped down, citing that certain “happenings and practices” within the bank over the past two years were not aligned with his personal values and ethics. However, the absence of specific details has added to uncertainty.

HDFC Bank chief executive and managing director Sashidhar Jagdishan said the board had urged Chakraborty to reconsider his resignation and elaborate on the concerns. “Every board member” attempted to persuade him to withdraw or clarify his remarks, but he declined, Jagdishan said.

Board members also indicated they were “baffled” by the move, noting that no specific issues were formally raised during discussions. Despite the sharp market reaction, analysts are increasingly viewing the correction as an opportunity rather than a signal of deeper concerns.

Deven Choksey said the fall has pushed the stock into a “deep value” zone, though he acknowledged that valuations may now reflect a discount due to recent developments.

Ishan Tanna of Ashika Capital said the situation appears tactical rather than structural. “The recent resignation of the Chairman looks more like a buy-on-dips opportunity rather than a structural concern,” he said, adding that the bank’s long-standing track record of strong processes provides comfort.
Tanna also highlighted that management commentary points to differences in value systems rather than any regulatory or compliance issues. “It seems to be more about differences in value systems, and not related to any regulatory or compliance problems,” he said.This view is broadly echoed by market participants. According to sources cited by ET Now, the resignation was not linked to any concerns raised by the Reserve Bank of India but stemmed from prolonged differences over certain practices.

Paresh Bhagat, CIO at Veer Growth Fund, said the development does not materially alter the bank’s fundamentals. “The absence of any stated business or financial concerns reinforces that this is not an operational signal,” he said, adding that leadership continuity at the CEO level remains intact.

While near-term sentiment remains cautious, the Street appears to be focusing on valuations and long-term fundamentals, even as clarity on the developments surrounding the resignation remains limited.

OCALA, Fla. — Shares of AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE American: AIM) rocketed higher Wednesday, closing at $1.02, up 31 cents or 43.66%, on extraordinarily heavy trading volume exceeding 183 million shares as investors reacted to a key patent milestone and ongoing clinical advancements in its lead drug Ampligen for pancreatic cancer.

The penny stock opened at $1.45, traded in a wide range from $0.9665 to $1.62 and finished with a market capitalization around $4.3 million. Pre-market trading Thursday showed further pressure, dipping to about $0.90, down roughly 12%, reflecting typical volatility after such explosive moves in low-float biotech names.

The surge was sparked by AIM’s March 18 announcement of final approval for a novel cancer therapy patent in Japan. The patent covers the use of Ampligen (rintatolimod), the company’s TLR-3 agonist immunomodulator, in combination with checkpoint inhibitors for enhanced anti-tumor effects. This intellectual property strengthens AIM’s global position in immuno-oncology, particularly for difficult-to-treat cancers like pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), where Ampligen is showing promise in mid-stage trials.

Analysts viewed the patent news as a positive catalyst for potential partnerships or expanded development programs. The company has positioned Ampligen as a potential adjunct to standard therapies, aiming to boost immune response and survival in late-stage patients.

The patent win follows closely on other pipeline momentum. In early March, AIM signed an agreement with Thermo Fisher Scientific’s PPD clinical research business to design a proposed Phase 3 trial of Ampligen in late-stage pancreatic cancer. This step builds on encouraging data from earlier studies, including a follow-up Phase 2 trial (DURIPANC) combining Ampligen with AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi (durvalumab) in metastatic PDAC patients stable after FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy.

A February year-end interim update from the DURIPANC study reported positive progression-free and overall survival trends, with enrollment ongoing at Erasmus MC Cancer Institute in the Netherlands. The trial, funded partly through AstraZeneca collaboration, follows a prior early access program where Ampligen monotherapy extended median survival to 19.7 months versus 8.6 months with standard care, alongside quality-of-life improvements.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of oncology’s toughest challenges, with five-year survival rates below 13% and limited options beyond frontline chemo. AIM’s approach leverages Ampligen’s ability to activate innate immunity and potentially sensitize tumors to checkpoint blockade, offering a novel angle in a field dominated by few effective therapies.

Financially, AIM remains a development-stage biotech with minimal revenue—about $110,000 in recent periods—and ongoing losses. The company extended and closed a rights offering in early March to raise capital, providing runway amid clinical costs. Cash position details were not updated in the latest releases, but such financings are common for small-cap biotechs advancing trials.

The stock’s dramatic jump came amid broader biotech sector interest in immuno-oncology and rare disease plays. AIM trades at a steep discount to analyst targets; one firm maintains a Strong Buy with a $21.98 12-month price objective, implying massive upside if trials succeed, though such forecasts carry high risk given execution challenges and dilution potential.

Historically, AIM (formerly Hemispherx Biopharma) has faced volatility, with shares swinging from highs above $35 in 2025 to lows near $0.61 earlier this year. The 52-week range reflects speculative swings tied to clinical news, regulatory updates and financing events.

Broader context includes Ampligen’s long development history. Initially pursued for chronic fatigue syndrome and other indications, the drug gained traction in oncology and viral diseases, including exploratory work in Long COVID. While not yet approved anywhere, positive pancreatic data could position it for breakthrough therapy designation or accelerated paths.

Investors should note risks: clinical trials often fail, pancreatic cancer studies face high hurdles, and AIM’s tiny market cap makes it susceptible to manipulation and sharp reversals. The March 18 volume spike—among the highest in recent memory—suggests momentum trading alongside fundamental interest.

As of Thursday pre-market, AIM futures indicated consolidation after the rally. Upcoming catalysts include further DURIPANC enrollment updates, Phase 3 planning progress and potential data readouts later in 2026.

For shareholders, the patent and trial advancements reinforce AIM’s focus on a high-unmet-need area. Success in pancreatic cancer could transform the company’s trajectory, but biotech investing demands caution given binary outcomes.

AIM ImmunoTech continues navigating a challenging landscape for small developers, balancing promise with financial realities. Wednesday’s move highlights how quickly sentiment can shift on incremental wins in this speculative space.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi etched his name deeper into soccer history Wednesday night, scoring his 900th career goal in the seventh minute of Inter Miami’s Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 second-leg match against Nashville SC. The milestone strike made the 38-year-old Argentine only the second men’s player ever to reach the remarkable total, joining Cristiano Ronaldo in the exclusive club.

Messi’s left-footed finish, a trademark low drive through a crowd of defenders into the far corner, gave Inter Miami an early lead at Chase Stadium. Receiving a pass in the box, he controlled the ball with his first touch, spun past a marker and unleashed the shot past Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis. The goal came just seven minutes into the tie, which ended 1-1 after Nashville’s Cristian Espinoza equalized in the second half. With the first leg finishing 0-0, Nashville advanced on away goals.

The achievement drew immediate global acclaim. Ronaldo reached 900 goals in September 2024 at age 39, but Messi accomplished the feat in fewer matches—nearly 100 less according to some trackers—highlighting his extraordinary efficiency. Messi entered the match with 899 senior goals across his career at Barcelona (672), Paris Saint-Germain, Argentina’s national team (115) and Inter Miami.

“This is unbelievable,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said post-match. “Leo does things that seem impossible, but he makes them look routine. To score 900 goals at this level, with the consistency he has shown for over two decades, is something we’ll talk about for generations.”

Messi’s path to 900 began with his professional debut goal for Barcelona on May 1, 2005. He amassed the bulk during his Barcelona era, where he won four Champions Leagues and 10 La Liga titles, before adding more at PSG and with Argentina, including the 2022 World Cup triumph. Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, he has continued producing at an elite level despite age and injury setbacks, helping the club win the 2025 MLS Cup.

The 900th goal came in a high-stakes continental match, underscoring Messi’s ability to deliver on big stages. Inter Miami, the reigning MLS champions, entered the Concacaf Champions Cup as favorites but exited early despite Messi’s heroics. The result was a disappointment for the Herons, who had hoped to build momentum in the regional competition.

Statistically, Messi’s 2026 campaign shows no signs of slowing. He has scored four goals in five appearances this calendar year, including the milestone strike. For the 2025-2026 season across all competitions, trackers list him with 23 goals and 18 assists in 25 matches for Inter Miami, maintaining an impressive 92 minutes per goal rate.

Fellow legends and celebrities reacted swiftly on social media. Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson called it an “incredible milestone,” while fans worldwide flooded platforms with tributes. Pele, the Brazilian icon often credited with over 1,000 goals (though official tallies vary), was frequently mentioned as the only other player to have approached or surpassed the mark in some counts.

Messi’s efficiency stands out in comparisons with Ronaldo. The Portuguese star, now at Al Nassr, required more games to hit 900, reflecting different playing styles and roles. Messi has consistently ranked among the top goal scorers per 90 minutes throughout his career, even as he transitioned to a deeper playmaking role in recent years.

The landmark arrives amid ongoing discussions about Messi’s legacy. At 38, he remains Inter Miami’s talisman and a key figure for Argentina ahead of future international commitments. Questions linger about whether he can reach 1,000 career goals, a feat that would place him in rare air. With his current form and Inter Miami’s ambitions in MLS and beyond, many believe it’s within reach.

Despite the personal triumph, the match result stung. Nashville’s advancement eliminates Inter Miami from the Concacaf Champions Cup, shifting focus back to domestic play. The Herons, bolstered by stars like Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets, aim to defend their MLS title in a competitive Eastern Conference.

Messi’s composure under pressure was evident in the goal’s execution. Analysts praised the clinical finish, noting how he created space in a crowded box and picked the precise corner. Broadcast replays showed the stadium erupting, with teammates mobbing him in celebration.

As Messi continues defying age, the 900-goal mark serves as another chapter in one of sport’s greatest stories. From a skinny teenager breaking through at Barcelona to a World Cup-winning captain thriving in MLS, his journey captivates fans globally.

Inter Miami’s season resumes with league action, where Messi’s presence ensures every match carries extra anticipation. Whether chasing more trophies or personal benchmarks, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner shows no sign of fading.

For now, the soccer world celebrates 900—a number that underscores Messi’s unparalleled brilliance and enduring impact on the beautiful game.