LawtechUK highlights AI's role in transforming access to justice and legal services

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Speakers at LawtechUK advocated for AI use, arguing that it could improve access to justice, both by increasing the capacity to solve issues outside of court and making changes within the court to judges’ processes.

The conference, which took place on Wednesday 5 February, brought the legal sector together to discuss how generative AI is reshaping the legal landscape. The morning included presentations from solicitors and barristers, and a keynote speech from Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos.

As part of his keynote speech, Vos reinforced his commitment to the digital justice system, “which will allow millions of disputes to be resolved online, using AI where appropriate, without the need for those disputes to enter the more expensive and time-consuming court process”.

Barrister at Cloisters, Dee Masters, focused on how AI could be used in court, particularly concentrating on how it might assist judges. Masters spoke about how the technology has helped to save her around five hours a week, which equates to a whole day of sitting for judges. Given that trials run only as fast as the judge can type or write, expediting the judges’ processes could massively speed up proceedings. While AI is unlikely to replace the judicial process, Masters emphasised that “small wins” can make a radical difference.

Vos also covered how AI can be misused, commenting on several notorious instances where barristers have used incorrect AI-generated evidence in court. However, he explained that we shouldn’t use examples of bad practice to shun the whole world of tech. He stressed the importance of checking AI-generated content, stating that, even if lawyers use AI, they’re still “responsible for [their] work, not ChatGPT”.

For more on access to justice and AI adoption, read this guide to the legal profession.

The conference also focused on how law firms are adopting AI. A law firm representative explained the three-step approach that his firm took when adopting its AI systems – “educate, assist and adopt”. He noted that this helped to remove fear from the process and ensured that lawyers knew how to use the tools successfully.

How can I use AI to make applications? For answers to this question and more, check out this LCN Says.