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HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has announced that it is accelerating its adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) to support the modernisation of courts and tribunals, while emphasising that all applications will be implemented responsibly.
Gary O’Reilly, Chief Technology Officer at HMCTS, said the focus is not on AI for its own sake but on using it “as a practical tool to address specific challenges and improve services for those who use our courts and tribunals”.
HMCTS has developed its own responsible AI principles, designed to reflect the sensitivities of the justice system and to maintain public trust. According to the announcement, AI will only be deployed where it adds value, can be implemented responsibly, and supports rather than replaces human judgment.
All AI systems will undergo rigorous testing and evaluation before being introduced.
HMCTS has already piloted several AI-based initiatives, including:
AI-powered transcription and summarisation to help judges process cases more efficiently while retaining oversight
AI tools to support anonymisation of judgments and documents, protecting privacy while maintaining transparency
AI-enabled search and assistant capabilities within case management systems to help legal professionals find information more effectively
The agency stressed that effective AI adoption requires collaboration with justice partners. It has committed to transparency, engagement with legal professionals and advocacy groups, and contributing to the development of sector-wide standards and best practice for AI in justice settings.
A new AI adoption plan is in development, setting out strategic objectives and governance arrangements. This will align with the Ministry of Justice’s wider AI action plan for justice and will be tested with judges, HMCTS staff and other stakeholders before publication.
Mr O’Reilly said that AI should deliver tangible improvements for users of the justice system, whether by reducing waiting times, improving accessibility or supporting legal professionals in their work.
