The AI revolution has the potential to transform access to justice, making legal battles more equitable for individuals who might otherwise be unable to compete against wealthier opponents. Often, people lose their cases not because they lack justice on their side, but because they can't afford to fully pursue their legal rights. AI could change this by reducing costs and leveling the playing field. AI is currently being integrated into the legal system to assist with tasks ranging from writing contracts to analyzing vast amounts of complex evidence. This isn't just happening in large law firms but also in community organizations like the Westway Trust's Cost of Living Crisis Clinic in London, which helps individuals with issues such as benefits appeals and landlord disputes. AI tools help pare down legal documents to key facts, saving time and resources for volunteer advisers like Adam Samji. Sir Geoffrey Vos, the head of civil justice in England and Wales, emphasizes that resolving legal claims more swiftly can significantly reduce economic loss and stress for individuals.

He views AI as a valuable tool for achieving this. For example, legal AI platforms such as Trialview can analyze court transcripts in real-time, flagging inconsistencies that would typically require a large team of lawyers to identify. However, the introduction of AI into the legal system is not without its challenges. Recent incidents, such as lawyers in New York being fined for submitting AI-generated bogus arguments, underline the importance of verifying AI output with human oversight. The EU has responded by implementing rules to ensure AI accuracy, which the Westway Trust carefully follows. Sir Geoffrey Vos has issued guidelines to ensure AI tools don't produce biased results, emphasizing that judges and lawyers must remain responsible for the evidence presented in court. While AI can aid legal processes, Sir Geoffrey cautions against relying on generic AI tools like ChatGPT for legal advice, as they may not accurately account for jurisdictional differences. In summary, AI presents a promising way to democratize access to justice, but its integration must be handled with care to maintain the integrity of the judicial process.