Crown Court Judges to Receive AI-Powered Assistants

Artificial intelligence assistants will be trialled in Crown Courts for the first time to help judges and lawyers prepare criminal cases, under plans announced by the Ministry of Justice.

The technology will be tested as a tool to research and analyse case material, identify matters that are ready for trial and assist with administrative tasks. Officials have described the AI systems as "digital paralegals", capable of carrying out duties such as reviewing legal documents, summarising large volumes of evidence, researching legal precedents and helping to manage case files.

Ministers believe the technology could save thousands of hours in trial preparation and help tackle the record backlog of cases awaiting hearing in the criminal courts.

The Ministry of Justice stressed that the systems would be introduced only in tightly controlled pilot schemes and would play no role in judicial decision-making. However, the plans are likely to prompt concerns about the risk of AI-generated errors and fears that technology could be used as a substitute for proper investment in the justice system.

Andrew Thomas, vice-chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, said AI tools should be used cautiously and only with appropriate safeguards.

"As all lawyers know, the devil is in the detail," he said. "AI systems should never be used without robust checks and balances. No one is suggesting that justice can be delivered by a computer. What the criminal justice system needs is clear guidance on the safe use of these technologies as an aid to judges and qualified lawyers, not as a replacement for them."

The initiative is expected to be formally unveiled by Justice Secretary David Lammy during London Tech Week.

The judiciary is already exploring ways in which AI could be used to identify cases that are ready to proceed to trial and to group similar hearings together, enabling them to be dealt with more efficiently in specialist courts.

Supporters argue that such measures could streamline court administration and improve efficiency, while critics maintain that any use of artificial intelligence in the justice system must be carefully monitored to preserve accuracy, accountability and public confidence.

The Johnson Partnership, Derby