Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) is a topic which has been in the news recently and it is expected to impact almost every industry and profession across the globe. The law is no exception to this, with AI slowly being introduced into the law in various ways. However, this has so far been very limited in mainstream legal practice.
The scope for expansion of the use of AI in the law profession is an issue to be considered carefully and extensively by law makers and experts in the field. The first question to be considered is whether AI should even be used more substantially in the legal profession, and if so, in which areas in particular.
So, how might AI impact on decisions reached in family cases? Family law proceedings often involve complex and sensitive matters that consider people’s personal circumstances, emotions, and the well-being of the individuals involved. As such, the decisions which are made in proceedings relating to children, divorce, matrimonial finances, and domestic abuse are intensely personal decisions, and not issues which should be determined by machines or robots.
It is therefore unlikely that AI will be used in a decision making or judgement capacity, in the realm of family law. However, AI can still be a useful tool, which may be used by lawyers and judges in a supporting role in family law cases.
Already, AI is being used significantly with regard to document analysis and preparation, and the legal profession will benefit from this as well. AI is able to review enormous quantities of documents, and identify relevant clauses, inconsistencies, and evidence.
Equally, AI could help to generate legal documents such as court applications, statements, or court orders, based on the input of a lawyer or their client. AI can also be utilised to quickly research vast databases of legal precedents, saving time and costs for legal research. However, expert oversight is always going to be needed because, at the moment at least, AI is not reliable and has the capacity to create fictional information.
AI could also be extremely useful for client communication, arranging appointments and sending reminders about key dates. AI can also be used for ‘Chatbot’ functions and virtual assistance, providing answers to common legal questions, and offering guidance on legal processes. However, family law advice is often very nuanced, and an experienced legal professional can often find solutions which would be beyond the ability of AI.
It is likely that any introduction of AI in family law would be to complement the work of existing legal professionals, rather than replace them. Family cases in particular require empathy, emotional intelligence, and human judgement.
AI is unlikely to be able to be helpful or express advice when ethical or emotional issues are relevant. As such, it will always be recommended that individuals facing legal problems seek professional advice at the earliest opportunity, and do not solely rely on the use of AI.
If you or anyone you know would like advice in relation to family law proceedings, then please contact our family team, or call us on 01206 835300