Artificial intelligence-powered virtual legal assistants are set to be introduced across Crown Courts in the UK, the government has announced, in a bid to alleviate the mounting backlog of cases. Ministers assert that the new technology will significantly accelerate legal proceedings.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed that these AI assistants will undergo trials in controlled environments before being deployed for use by judges and lawyers. Additionally, judges will gain access to an AI tool designed to identify trial-ready cases and consolidate similar hearings, optimising already strained court time.
