The judiciary has given artificial intelligence a cautious endorsement, with Sir Colin Birss, the lead judge for AI, urging “strict safeguards and robust testing” for any tools that support judges.
The newly issued position statement makes clear that AI applications must never decide a case’s outcome, nor replace the judge’s own reasoning, analysis, or discretion.
Sir Colin Birss explained that AI could change many aspects of the justice system, yet human oversight remains essential for every step.
All AI-generated output used in judicial work must be examined, verified, and approved by the responsible judicial office holder, who stays fully accountable for the final decision.
The guidance follows remarks by Geoffrey Vos, the outgoing Master of the Rolls, who said public confidence in AI-driven decisions is likely to grow over time.
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Sir Colin Birss also became the first known judge to draft part of a judgment with an AI tool, describing the experience as “jolly useful”.
This position statement builds on earlier judicial guidance released in December 2023, which set out core principles for judges who consider using AI.
Pilot programmes have tested a variety of functions, such as transcription of court proceedings, analysis of documents, and assistance with administrative tasks; the findings from those pilots have been folded into the current guidance.
A centralised steering group, referenced in the statement, will manage the development, testing, and rollout of AI tools, and will provide a clear route for escalation if concerns emerge.
