UK launches AI legal assistants for Crown Courts

The UK government has announced a major initiative to deploy artificial intelligence within the justice system, aiming to tackle severe court backlogs and modernize legal services. Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor David Lammy unveiled the plans on Tuesday, June 9, at London Tech Week.

A central element is the development of AI legal assistants for use in Crown Courts across England and Wales. These tools, being created in partnership with legal experts and AI developers, are designed to support legal professionals with routine tasks such as legal research, case analysis, and reviewing materials. The goal is to improve efficiency and productivity, ultimately reducing the time victims wait for their cases to be heard. Before any live deployment, the AI assistants will undergo rigorous testing in controlled, sandbox environments to ensure they meet the high standards required for use in courts.

Judges will also gain access to a new AI-powered case management tool intended to identify trial-ready cases and group similar hearings together. Officials believe this will help maximize the use of judicial resources and court time, contributing to faster case resolution.