Lammy pronounces AI authorized assistants for Crown Courts at London Tech Week

At London Tech Week, deputy prime minister David Lammy introduced the appearance of synthetic intelligence (AI) authorized assistants to be used in Crown Courtroom circumstances, alongside an AI device for judges to determine circumstances prepared for trial.

On the finish of December 2025, the Crown Courtroom backlog was 80,200 circumstances in England and Wales, the best stage recorded since 2016, in line with Minstry of Justice (MoJ) figures. The backlog in magistrates’ courts was 379,400.

The MoJ stated in a press release that AI authorized assistants will probably be developed “in partnership with the UK’s high authorized consultants and main AI builders”. It’s stated that the assistants will assist authorized professionals with routine casework, together with analysis and case evaluation.

Earlier than getting used within the Crown Courtroom, the expertise will probably be trialled to make sure the software program meets the usual required by judges and attorneys earlier than being thought of for roll-out within the courts system, the MoJ stated.

Lammy stated: “Synthetic intelligence has the ability to rework how we stay, work and govern for the higher. This impression for good might be seen in our justice system – with 1000’s of days of admin work saved for our probation workers, and the appearance of recent instruments which goal to chop court docket backlogs and ship swifter justice for victims.”

He can even announce that each probation officer in England and Wales has been geared up with Justice Transcribe, described as an AI device that robotically information and transcribes conversations with offenders.

The MoJ stated the device might unencumber the equal of 18,750 calendar days of time yearly, permitting frontline workers to spend extra time monitoring offenders. The same device is being trialled within the Immigration and Asylum Tribunals, the division stated. It is without doubt one of the initiatives forming a part of the prime minister’s “AI Exemplars programme”, that are examples of how the federal government desires to make use of AI throughout the general public sector.

In August 2025, the MoJ introduced it had employed a chief synthetic intelligence (AI) officer as a part of a three-year motion plan to deploy AI. The plan included organising the Justice AI Unit, described as an interdisciplinary workforce comprising consultants in AI, ethics, coverage, design, operations and alter administration. 

The unit’s web site, ai.justice.gov.uk, is used to supply updates on what the MoJ is taking a look at when it comes to AI. On the location, Lammy is quoted as saying: “Trials within the probation system with Justice Transcribe had helped document conferences between offenders and officers, saving 25,000 hours of time by serving to transcribe greater than 150,000 conferences.”

A probation officer stated: “For as soon as, I really feel that I even have time to take a look at the individual in entrance of me they usually really feel that they’re being listened to”.

Lammy was appointed deputy prime minister and secretary of state for justice within the 2025 cupboard reshuffle on 5 September 2025, following the resignation of Angela Raynor. In February 2026, Lammy vowed to reform the justice system with AI. Talking on the Microsoft AI Tour, Lammy stated the justice system is in “determined” want of renewal.

This week, the federal government additionally introduced testing environments referred to as AI Progress Labs. These may allow the UK’s “lawtech” sector to develop and refine AI merchandise in “safe, managed settings” earlier than bringing them to market.