AI in the Courtroom: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Judicial Processes

Rebekah Harrison-Smith -

In 2024, a US courtroom used artificial intelligence (AI) software to assist in reviewing thousands of documents during a pre-trial hearing—cutting review time from weeks to hours. Stories like this are no longer science fiction. As technology evolves, AI is finding its way into judicial processes around the world. But what does this mean for the future of justice?

For students of law and technology, the intersection of AI and the courtroom presents both exciting opportunities and serious ethical challenges. This blog explores how AI is being used in judicial systems, the benefits it offers, and the risks we can’t afford to ignore.

What Does AI in the Courtroom Look Like?

AI in the courtroom goes far beyond digital transcription. It’s increasingly involved in:

  • Document analysis and e-disclosure: AI tools can process and categorise vast amounts of legal documents, helping lawyers and judges identify relevant information faster.
  • Sentencing algorithms: Tools such as COMPAS (Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions) assist judges in evaluating the risk of reoffending.
  • Virtual assistants: Some courts use AI to streamline administrative tasks or support self-represented litigants.
  • Remote hearings: AI-driven translation and transcription services help facilitate cross-border or multilingual legal proceedings.

In Estonia, a pilot “robot judge” has been developed to adjudicate small claims under €7,000. While still experimental, it signals a shift in how some jurisdictions are willing to incorporate AI into judicial decision-making.

The Promises of AI in the Courtroom

AI offers real potential to improve access to justice and reduce inefficiencies. Key benefits include:

  • Efficiency: AI speeds up case processing, potentially reducing long-standing case backlogs.
  • Cost-effectiveness: Automating routine legal work can reduce overheads and free up human resources for more complex matters.
  • Consistency: AI can reduce variability in procedural tasks, leading to more predictable outcomes.
  • Accessibility: AI-powered platforms can assist individuals navigating the legal system without representation, particularly in minor claims or administrative cases.

The Risks and Red Flags

Despite its potential, AI in the courtroom raises several serious concerns:

  • Algorithmic bias: AI trained on historical legal data can replicate—and even amplify—systemic racial or socio-economic biases.
  • Opacity: Many AI tools operate as “black boxes”, making it difficult to challenge or scrutinise their outputs.
  • Due process concerns: Excessive reliance on automated tools may undermine the right to a fair trial or the presumption of innocence.
  • Accountability: If an AI tool contributes to a miscarriage of justice, who bears responsibility?

These aren’t abstract issues. In the US, several cases have shown how AI-assisted sentencing tools can disproportionately affect marginalised groups. The UK, too, must tread carefully to avoid similar outcomes.

AI in the justice system engages pressing questions around human rights, privacy, and the rule of law. Areas of legal concern include:

  • Data protection: AI systems must comply with regulations such as the UK GDPR, especially when processing sensitive personal data.
  • Transparency: There is growing advocacy for “explainable AI”—systems that provide understandable justifications for their conclusions.
  • Oversight: Legal scholars and practitioners have called for regulatory frameworks to govern how and when AI can be used in court proceedings.

For students entering the legal profession, these are not merely theoretical concerns—they will define the profession's future.

What Should Law Students Know?

Whether you are studying law, technology, or both, now is the time to develop a working knowledge of how AI is reshaping the legal sector. Here are a few practical suggestions:

  • Read key reports from The Law Society, the Ada Lovelace Institute, and the European Commission on AI and justice.
  • Pursue electives or modules in LegalTech or AI ethics, if offered by your university.
  • Seek opportunities in internships or research projects that focus on technology law or AI governance.

AI is no longer a distant concept in the justice system - it is already here. The challenge lies in ensuring that its use enhances, rather than undermines, the delivery of fair and accessible justice. For the next generation of lawyers and technologists, this is a defining issue.

Should AI ever be allowed to make judicial decisions without human oversight? Share your views in the comments below or get in touch if you’re working at this fascinating intersection of law and technology.