New AI instrument to hurry up court docket instances ‘could possibly be a gamechanger’
EXCLUSIVE: Justice minister Sarah Sackman said a new Case Readiness Assistant, being trialed at Inner London Crown Court this month, could help victims secure justice faster
Courts minister Sarah Sackman says the use of AI to iron out problems with upcoming cases could speed up justice(Image: PA)
A new AI tool to speed up court cases has been hailed as a potential game-changer.
Justice minister Sarah Sackman told The Mirror that the new tool, which is being trialed in a London court, could help end the misery of long waits that victims have to endure. This month the AI-powered Case Readiness Assistant will be piloted at Inner London Crown Court, with a view to rolling it out across the country.
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) said it will scan files to identify whether there are missing documents that could hold up cases being heard. The software will also spot issues that could derail hearings, by making sure all paperwork is in place before a case comes to court.
It will send an alert if there are missing documents. Courts minister Ms Sackman said: “Too many victims have been left waiting while court delays mount. This new AI tool will help court staff get cases ready for trial sooner, reducing disruption and helping keep hearings on track.
“Alongside our record investment in the courts, we’re using technology to modernise the justice system, tackle backlogs and ensure victims see justice delivered faster.”
At the moment gaps in case files can lead to frustrating delays, meaning cases are not heard for several months after they are originally listed. The AI-technology will not make any judicial decisions or decide the outcome of cases, the government said. It comes as ministers scramble to tackle a huge Crown Court backlog of 80,829.
If it is successful, the MOJ says, it could pave the way for AI being used more widely across the court system. This would make better use of court time and ensure cases are wrapped up sooner, it argues.
Labour has been grappling with long backlogs which have resulted in victims waiting years for justice. At the weekend Justice Secretary Alex Norris watered down controversial reforms which would have limited the use of juries to rule on guilt or innocence.
A new Crown Court Bench Division, where judges alone would have heard cases that could result in a sentence of up to three years, was abandoned. But defendants will not have the option to opt for a jury trial for ‘either way’ offences including theft and burglary.
Mr Norris said: “This government inherited criminal courts on the brink of collapse, with victims waiting years for their day in court. I remain committed to bringing down the backlog and delivering swifter justice for those who so desperately need it. But I have heard the strength of feeling on the proposals for increasing the number of judge-alone trials in the Crown court and have made the decision to change course.”
