David Lammy, the UK deputy prime minister, is set to announce trials of AI “legal assistants” in crown courts in England and Wales, aimed at reducing a growing backlog of cases. The proposal involves using AI tools to handle parts of administrative work associated with court processes, with the government arguing the approach could save significant time and reduce the burden of non-judicial tasks.
Lawyers and other stakeholders raise concerns that the technology must not be treated as a substitute for essential resourcing. They warn that AI assistants should not “replace” funding or additional court staff, suggesting that staffing levels and budget commitments remain necessary to address delays.
Across the coverage, the central focus is on balancing potential efficiency gains against safeguards and support for the wider justice system. The trials are expected to be used to assess whether AI can contribute to faster case handling while maintaining appropriate oversight and ensuring that any adoption does not undermine efforts to tackle backlogs through staffing and investment.
