ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND E
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND E
The legal industry has always been known for relying on tradition and
resisting change. However, recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI)
technologies are beginning to disrupt the legal landscape, changing the way law
firms and legal departments operate.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize various
industries, and the legal sector is no exception. These artificial intelligence tools
arrive at the forefront of legal technology, offering innovative solutions to
streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve the overall quality of legal
services. The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Poland held a conference
"Ius ex silico - Artificial Intelligence in the Service of Justice" in Warsaw. The
discussion was about the possible use of AI in the courts and the prosecutor's
office. AI can speed up proceedings, facilitate case management and increase
the level of judicial practice [1].
Before investigating the impact of artificial intelligence and e-courts, we
would like to disclose and characterize the e-court. An electronic court or E-
Court, (sometimes written as eCourt, or e-Court) is a location in which matters
of law are adjudicated upon, in the presence of qualified Judge or Judges, which
has a well-developed technical infrastructure [2].
This infrastructure is usually designed to allow parties, participants and other
stakeholders to better operate some administrative and procedural aspects of the
court’s functions, such as presenting evidence, filing judicial records (electronic
court filing) or receiving testimony remotely [2].
Often referred to as a paperless court, its objective is, in part, to reduce the
reliance on paper or hard-copy documents during the judicial process. On a
larger scale, an electronic court is usually implemented to increase the efficiency
of the court by expediting access to information. The International Criminal
Court in The Hague is often cited as a good example of an electronic court [2].
When it comes to e-courts, which refer to the use of electronic means to
facilitate legal proceedings, AI can play a significant role in streamlining
processes, enhancing efficiency, and improving access to justice.
Here are some ways AI can impact e-courts:
1. Legal Research and Analysis. AI-powered tools can assist lawyers and
judges in conducting legal research by quickly sifting through vast databases of
case law, statutes, and legal literature. This can significantly speed up the
process of preparing legal documents and making decisions based on precedent.
2. Document Review and Management. AI can be used to review large
volumes of documents for relevance, privilege, and key information. This is
particularly useful in e-discovery, where AI algorithms can quickly identify
relevant documents in litigation cases.
3. Predictive Analytics. AI can analyze historical data to make predictions
about case outcomes, helping lawyers and judges in understanding the potential
strengths and weaknesses of a case. This can aid in settlement negotiations and
resource allocation.
4. Natural Language Processing (NLP). NLP allows machines to understand
and process human language. In e-courts, NLP can be used for tasks like
summarizing legal documents, extracting relevant information, and even
understanding the sentiment or intent behind text.
5. Chatbots and Virtual Assistants. AI-powered chatbots can provide basic
legal information, answer common questions, and guide individuals through the
legal process. This can improve access to justice by providing information to
those who may not have easy access to legal advice.
6. Language Translation and Interpretation. AI can assist in real-time
translation and interpretation services, making it easier for non-native speakers
or those in multilingual environments to participate in legal proceedings.
7. Sentencing Recommendations. AI algorithms can analyze various factors
and provide sentencing recommendations to judges, ensuring more consistency
and fairness in sentencing.
8. Cybersecurity and Data Protection. With the increasing reliance on digital
platforms in e-courts, AI can play a crucial role in detecting and preventing
cyber threats, safeguarding sensitive information, and ensuring compliance with
data protection regulations.
9. Ethical and Bias Considerations. It's important to note that the use of AI in
e-courts should be carefully monitored to avoid biases and ethical issues. The
algorithms and data sets must be scrutinized to ensure fairness and transparency.
However, it's crucial to approach the integration of AI in e-courts with
caution. Legal professionals should be involved in the development and
implementation process to ensure that AI systems are used to enhance, rather
than replace, human judgment and expertise. Additionally, robust data privacy
and security measures must be in place to protect sensitive information.
The Supreme Court noted the problems that may arise from the introduction
of AI for the consideration of court cases in Ukraine. As noted by Supreme
Court Justice Elena Kibenko, despite the progressiveness of the use of artificial
intelligence in court proceedings (artificial intelligence is used in the courts of
the United Kingdom, China, Brazil) Experience with the use of artificial
intelligence in courts has also revealed a number of problems. Specifically:
1. AI can shape judicial practice at will, while ignoring certain nuances of the
cases. That is, AI algorithms may have features that affect court decisions.
2. Using AI can cause the judge to lose critical thinking skills. AI will
actually judge cases, and the judge will eventually become an appendage to AI.
3. The possibility of developing law and jurisprudence is lost. Since AI is
based on the analysis of previous precedents, AI activities will be aimed at
covering already existing jurisprudence, virtually without the possibility of its
further development [3].
In conclusion, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into e-courts
holds immense potential for revolutionizing the legal landscape. By harnessing
the power of AI, legal professionals can benefit from streamlined processes,
enhanced efficiency, and improved access to justice. From legal research and
document management to predictive analytics and language translation, AI-
powered tools offer a wide range of applications that can significantly augment
the capabilities of e-courts.
However, it is essential to approach this technological advancement with
careful consideration. Human oversight and involvement remain crucial to
ensure that AI systems are used as valuable tools to complement, rather than
replace, the expertise of legal professionals. Moreover, ethical considerations
and safeguards against biases must be rigorously implemented to uphold fairness
and transparency in the legal process. With thoughtful implementation and
ongoing scrutiny, the marriage of AI and e-courts has the potential to greatly
benefit the legal system and those seeking justice.