The Ministry of Justice has announced plans to trial artificial intelligence (AI) legal assistants within crown courts across England and Wales. This initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to reduce the substantial backlog of court cases and improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy is expected to formally reveal the pilot at London Tech Week, highlighting AI tools designed to alleviate administrative burdens and streamline case management. The proposed technology includes systems to support court staff by identifying cases trial-ready for listing and grouping similar hearings, aiming to accelerate proceedings.
However, leading legal organisations, including the Law Society of England and Wales, have cautioned against overreliance on AI as a substitute for adequate funding and staffing increases. Ian Jeffery, chief executive of the Law Society, emphasised that while AI might assist in managing workloads, it cannot replace the need for human resources essential to the justice system’s effective operation.
“The use of AI in crown courts must be thoroughly evaluated, with transparent reporting on outcomes and impacts,” Jeffery said. He further stressed the importance of implementing robust safeguards to maintain judicial integrity and protect access to justice.
Concerns follow recent instances where AI tools generated inaccurate or entirely fabricated legal citations. In one notable case involving a high-value claim against Qatar National Bank, 18 out of 45 referenced cases were later found to be fictitious, reportedly produced using publicly available AI software. Another incident saw a council lawyer cite non-existent case law multiple times during a housing legal challenge, raising questions over AI’s reliability in legal research.
The crown court system faces a significant backlog, with the number of pending cases exceeding 80,000 this year—more than double the 2019 figure before the Covid-19 pandemic. Freedom of information data shows some trials are currently scheduled as far ahead as 2030, underscoring the urgency behind reform efforts.
In addition to the AI trials, the government has announced plans to reduce the scale of jury trials with the aim of improving case throughput. These measures reflect ongoing attempts to modernise the justice system amid persistent capacity challenges.
The Ministry of Justice’s AI trial initiative represents a calculated effort to harness technological advancements to address operational pressures but also underscores continuing debates about the balance between digital innovation and the foundational resources required for justice delivery.
The pilot will be observed closely by stakeholders across the legal profession, with detailed evaluations expected to inform any potential broader implementation. For now, the justice system continues to face significant courtroom backlogs while navigating the complexities of integrating AI tools responsibly.
