header-logo header-logo

10 June 2026
Issue: 8165 / Categories: Legal News , Artificial intelligence , Technology , In Court
printer mail-detail

Artificial intelligence roll-out to tackle Crown Court delays

Artificial intelligence (AI) legal assistants will be deployed to cut delays in the Crown Court, ministers have announced

The technology, which is yet to be developed, will assist judges, legal professionals and court staff with case management, listing and administrative processes. The Ministry of Justice said it would be built in partnership with legal experts and trialled in ‘highly controlled environments that set clear standards for safe and ethical use’.

Law Society chief executive Ian Jeffery said: ‘For the use of AI to be effective, the pilot must be thoroughly evaluated.’

David Lammy, the Lord Chancellor, announcing the plan last week, revealed probation officers have all been given Justice Transcribe, an AI tool that automatically records and transcribes conversations with offenders. He said judges in the Immigration and Asylum Tribunals are trialling a similar tool that allows them to transcribe case notes, ahead of a potential rollout across the tribunals system.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Withers—Sophie Barrett-Brown

Withers—Sophie Barrett-Brown

Withers drives further growth in its UK immigration team with new partner Sophie Barrett-Brown

Venus Legal—Esther Amoako

Venus Legal—Esther Amoako

Venus Legal invests in next generation of legal talent as specialist litigation practice grows

Fisher Phillips—Catrina Smith

Fisher Phillips—Catrina Smith

Fisher Phillips continues momentum in London with arrival of Catrina Smith

NEWS
Restrictions on workplace non-disclosure agreements could make settlements slower, more complex and more expensive when reforms expected in 2027 take effect
Private prosecutors face closer scrutiny under Crown Prosecution Service guidance designed to strengthen accountability and consistency when intervention is requested
Foreign states cannot necessarily claim immunity for cyber operations launched abroad against computers in Britain, following a divided Supreme Court ruling
Defendants who make unsupported complaints about their lawyers risk losing legal aid while confiscation proceedings continue without representation
Lawyers advising Russian clients face different sanctions restrictions across the UK, EU and US, despite their shared objective of increasing pressure on Russia
back-to-top-scroll