header-logo header-logo

26 September 2025 / Clare Arthurs
Issue: 8132 / Categories: Features , Artificial intelligence , Profession , Technology , Legal services
printer mail-detail

Do the AIs have it?

230736
A golden opportunity or more trouble than it’s worth? Clare Arthurs reckons with the rise of artificial intelligence

There is no escaping the rise of the machine—in particular, the rise of machine learning. Its impact and use is being discussed and developed by lawyers, their clients and even the judiciary. Artificial intelligence (AI) is clearly here to stay—but does it represent an opportunity or a challenge?

AI champions

The litigation landscape is varied in this respect. Senior members of the judiciary have consistently championed the integration of AI into our court system. In a speech in February 2025, the Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos, repeated his commitment to the Digital Justice System, which he hopes 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’.

Lord Justice Birss, the newly appointed Chancellor of the High Court (and chair of the working group on the use of AI in court documents) has expressed similar enthusiasm, describing ChatGPT as ‘jolly

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
back-to-top-scroll