AI Skills & Legal Governance

Get real work done with AI — and do it safely.

Practical training and legal governance for businesses and teams who want to use AI with confidence, not just talk about it.

Book a call with Richard What I do

Richard Nicholas Technology Lawyer & AI Trainer

Sound familiar?

Most people know enough about AI to be worried, but not enough to know what to do.

"I've been asked to sign off on an AI solution but I really don't know how it works. I don't think the business knows how it works either. There's a real push to go ahead, I don't have enough reason to say no to it and I don't want to block the deal. But I'm not sure I'm adding much value either."

That's the honest version of the conversation most people are having with themselves, usually somewhere around 11pm. The business wants to move fast. The regulator wants you to be careful. And you're being asked to make decisions about things you haven't quite had time to understand.

That's a reasonable place to be. It's also exactly what I do something about.

What I do

Two things that work better together.

Most AI problems are really two problems at once: people don't know how to use the tools for productive work, and the business doesn't have the governance to use them safely. I cover both.

AI Skills Training

Structured training and bespoke workshops on getting real work done with AI. Practical and hands-on, built around your team's actual work rather than a generic course.

Using AI as a genuine thinking partner, not just a search engine
Creating workflows that save real time
Building and deploying AI agents for your team
Getting value from AI tools you already have
Delivered to teams or one-to-one, in person or online

See the training offer for in-house legal teams →
See the AI agent-building programme →

Governance & Legal Diligence

The legal side of AI adoption. Making sure your business is compliant, the risks are understood, and the decisions you are making can be defended.

AI policy and risk frameworks
Due diligence on AI procurement
Regulatory compliance and documentation
Board-level advisory
In-house legal team support

Talk to me about governance and diligence support →
See my technology law profile at Browne Jacobson →

Why me

I'm not selling any particular AI tools. I'm a lawyer who put in the work with AI.

I've been a technology lawyer for over 25 years, helping businesses with technology contracts, data protection, and digital risk. When AI arrived as the next big question, I didn't just advise on it. I went and learned it properly, because I could see where the questions were heading.

I run training sessions and workshops for in-house lawyers and business teams across the UK. The feedback I get is that they're useful and enjoyable. Which, if I'm honest, is exactly the standard I hold myself to.

"I'm not selling you something I haven't done myself. I had the same questions you have. I went and found the answers. That's what I'm here to help you do."

Alongside the training, I bring 25 years of technology law to every governance question. You get both in one conversation.

Technology Law Partner, leading on AI IAPP AI Governance Professional (AIGP) Legal 500 ranked Chambers ranked Founder, Skilldiligence Author, Useful Lawyers

People arrive feeling slightly behind. They leave feeling like the person in the room who asked the right questions.

That's the shift. Not just better informed — actually more confident about what to do next.

Book a call with Richard

What clients say

As a lawyer working in the fintech/legal-tech sector, I thought I was already familiar with AI, its uses and underlying structure. Richard's AI course for in-house lawyers opened my eyes to just how much more there is to learn, particularly how to apply AI more effectively in legal practice. Richard clearly knows every trick in the book and demonstrates impressive results by teaching lawyers how to ‘talk’ to AI and get the most out of it. AI will play a huge role in the future of legal practice and any lawyer, young or old, should take Richard's course if they would like to stay ahead. In just a few sessions, participants go from being basic users to maximising the benefits they can derive from AI.

Toby Schumacher Barrister

“This was accessible to me and enabled me to make real change to my daily work and what might be possible in my working life on limited resources and a shoestring budget.”

Julienne Legal & Compliance Manager · Ewopharma · Agent Builder Workshop

“He guided us through how to apply AI thoughtfully, creatively, and effectively to real-world challenges affecting our roles. His ability to highlight practical problem-solving approaches was refreshing.”

Kerrie Mott Research Development Manager · University of Cumbria

“Perfectly delivered with real life examples, practical tips, interactive tasks, humour, and a wealth of experience and knowledge. Couldn't have asked more of a few hours' session.”

Alona Kiriak Contract Drafting & Simplification Specialist

“Well-structured, engaging, and immediately useful. I would highly recommend Richard to anyone looking to build confidence and better understand how to use AI in their day-to-day legal work.”

Emma Fairclough Contract Manager

“As a practicing lawyer, he brought relevant subject-matter knowledge and delivered the workshop in a clear, practical way. Reliable, well-prepared, and great at keeping participants engaged.”

Frida Hernandez Compliance Manager · Externally Funded Projects

“The session offered practical insights into how to prepare effective prompts and how to integrate AI tools within day-to-day professional work. I would recommend Richard for his expertise, clear delivery, and positive energy.”

Raffaella Di Masi Senior Project Manager

Common questions

Straight answers to what people usually want to know before getting in touch.

What is Skilldiligence?

Skilldiligence is Richard Nicholas's AI training and legal governance consultancy, providing practical AI skills training and legal risk advice to in-house legal teams, boards and businesses across the UK.

Who is the AI training for?

Primarily in-house legal teams and business leaders who already have access to tools like Microsoft Copilot or Claude but aren't yet using them effectively. Training is delivered to teams or one-to-one, in person or online, and no coding experience is required.

What are Richard Nicholas's credentials?

Richard is a technology law partner with over 25 years' experience, and holds the IAPP AI Governance Professional (AIGP) qualification. He is recognised as a leading technology lawyer by both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.

Why "Skilldiligence"?

Under company law, directors are required to display all due "care, skill and diligence" in respect of their duties. If you care about AI in business, you'll need both the skill to use it properly and the diligence to ensure you're still in control and using it safely. That's what we provide.

How do I book a session with Skilldiligence?

Book a short introductory call directly, or get in touch by email. There's no fixed agenda for the first call, it's a conversation about where you are and whether Skilldiligence can help.

Let's talk

Most conversations start the same way.

"We need to do something about AI — we're just not sure what." That's fine. That's exactly what a first call is for. No agenda, no hard sell. Just a conversation about where you are and whether I can help.