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20 February 2026 / Ben Roe
Issue: 8150 / Categories: Features , In Court , Artificial intelligence , Technology
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Justice by AI?

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From document management to decision-making: Ben Roe explores the practical applications of AI in the courtroom
  • This article considers the legal framework governing use of AI in the English courts, and the relative absence of specific guidance.
  • It explores the practical applications of AI in court, including efficiency tools and advocacy assistance, alongside emerging concerns around the use of AI to generate evidence, assess emotions in court and make judicial decisions.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform litigation, from how lawyers research and draft documents to how cases are managed. The civil courts are no exception. As this potential becomes more obvious, fundamental questions about the proper role of AI in the courtroom demand attention.

What are the rules?

The regulatory framework governing the use of AI in court remains strikingly underdeveloped. Judges and practitioners looking for clear guidance on what they may do will search largely in vain.

  • This is not for want of activity. At the international level, both UNESCO and the Council of Europe
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