Judges are also looking to use AI to determine trial-ready cases, collate similar proceedings
In a bid to improve Crown court efficiency, the UK government is set to develop artificial intelligence legal assistants in partnership with legal experts and AI developers.
The assistants are expected to aid with routine casework like research and case analysis. It will be piloted in controlled environments that establish transparent standards for safe and ethical use, according to the UK justice ministry. The trial period will ensure that judges and lawyers’ requirements are met by new technology.
Deputy prime minister and lord chancellor David Lammy announced the initiative at London Tech Week this week.
“Artificial intelligence has the power to transform how we live, work, and govern for the better. This impact for good can be seen in our justice system – with thousands of days of admin work saved for our probation staff, and the advent of new tools which aim to cut court backlogs and deliver swifter justice for victims,” he said in a statement.
In addition to the AI assistants, judges are also looking to use AI to identify trial-ready cases and collate similar proceedings, optimizing judicial, prosecutorial and court resources for swift case resolution. Moreover, all probation officers have been equipped with AI transcription tool Justice Transcribe, which is expected to save 18,750 calendar days’ worth of time.
A similar transcription tool is being piloted in the Immigration and Asylum Tribunals. It is among the projects in prime minister Keir Starmer’s AI Exemplars program.
The government also launched AI Growth Labs this week to facilitate the controlled development of AI products in the lawtech sector. The Solicitors Regulation Authority said in a statement published by the Law Society Gazette that it would play a “key role” in the initiative.
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers, the Information Commissioner’s Office, and the Legal Services Board will be involved as well.
“AI is already transforming legal services, from enabling small businesses to recover debts, to helping consumers navigate complex legal processes. These tools are improving access to justice in a practical and meaningful way,” said Sarah Rapson, SRA chief executive, in a statement published by the Gazette. “The lab will accelerate this progress, supporting the growth of legal services that benefit the public, and that maintain the high professional standards that underpin trust in the legal profession.”
Law Society of England and Wales chief executive Ian Jeffery added that the lab could bolster innovation by “allowing legal service providers to safely test AI tools against the profession’s current robust legal standards,” per a statement published by the Gazette.
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