AI is slowly but surely encroaching on human spaces, and that too with a very subtle tone. And now, AI is entering the Judiciary world of England and Wales, but panic not; it won’t be replacing judges.
In December, the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary acknowledged AI’s potential in drafting opinions but cautioned against its use for legal research, citing concerns about the technology generating misleading, inaccurate, and biased information.
Master of the Rolls Geoffrey Vos emphasized the need for cautious AI use, urging judges to uphold confidence and personal responsibility in their outputs.
Five years ago, the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice issued an AI ethics charter for courts, emphasizing principles like accountability. While the US Supreme Court Chief Justice discussed AI in his annual report, a unified federal approach is lacking, with individual courts setting rules.
Guidance in England and Wales is considered a pioneering effort, addressing AI-related concerns comprehensively.
This effort will ease out some of the more technical aspects of writing but by no means will replace the human aspect anytime soon. AI is still faultier than we can imagine, and any sort of fabrication of data in the judiciary will bring nothing but chaos.
