top of page

Using Artificial Intelligence to Close the Justice Gap

  • Writer: Survive Law
    Survive Law
  • May 23, 2023
  • 2 min read

Reposted from November 2016 #survivelawarchive

In recent years, the legal sector has seen the introduction of numerous software designed to make legal work more efficient. In some cases, the software is able to automatically analyse court and tribunal cases or even produce “better quality” work than that traditionally done by paralegals. On the flip side, this software is also able to reduce legal costs, and work towards closing the justice gap by helping those who aren’t able to afford a lawyer or qualify for legal aid, access appropriate legal resources. In May 2016, the world’s first Artificial Intelligence lawyer, ROSS, was hired at a law firm. Several other firms have since also utilised the services of ROSS which aims to support lawyers in their legal research. The development of technologies like ROSS aims to serve justice, especially for those who don’t have the means to access a lawyer. In November 2016, in response to the number of people going to court unrepresented, a Melbourne law firm introduced an online robot lawyer. The robot lawyer is designed to help people present their cases clearly in court by asking the client a number of questions before providing them with a template document they can read to the magistrate. Though not designed to replace a real lawyer, the robot lawyer does provide a base-level platform for those who can’t afford the exorbitant costs of legal representation. Another free online robot lawyer, DoNotPay, initially helping people challenge parking fines in the US and the UK, has extended its services to help those evicted from their homes seek government housing. After the user answers several questions, the robot lawyer generates an application that is completed in a way designed to maximise your chances of success. Groups have also been lobbying the Australian government to adopt the use of Rechtwijzer, an AI platform already being used in the Netherlands, UK and Canada. The program was developed with the aim of streamlining expensive court processes by encouraging dispute resolution through negotiation and mediation. In the Netherlands, Rechtwijzer is already being used to help spouses negotiate the terms of their divorce, including child support. In Canada, the program is even being used to resolve debt and tenancy cases. Beyond the use of artificial intelligence in law firms, the influence of this new technology also has the potential to infiltrate court systems with a team of scientists and engineers at University College London developing an AI judge. Let’s just let the idea of an AI judge sentencing you to jail time sink in. The AI judge was able to analyse 584 cases involving alleged human rights infringements and in 79% of the cases, by identifying patterns between the cases, they were able to correctly predict the outcome of a trial. The development of these AI programs and their integration into the Australian legal sector is undoubtedly a game-changer for the justice system and one to watch.


Source // Tech Insider


Enjoyed this post? Sign up for the Survive Law weekly newsletter for more.

23 Comments


rping Zhuang
rping Zhuang
7 hours ago

Really compelling article! The way AI tools like ROSS and DoNotPay are helping lower access barriers is inspiring. When legal thoughts get heavy, I clear my mind with Crazyig (a free online games site) — then come back refreshed to think more sharply.

Like

katfoca
a day ago

http://royalxcasino.net.pk/ is an online gaming platform featuring a wide selection of casino games — including slots, card tables, and live dealer titles. With a focus on secure transactions, fair play, and dependable customer support, RoyalXCasino delivers a polished, high‑standards gaming experience.

Like

Jason Todd
Jason Todd
Oct 03

This is a fascinating read — I especially appreciate how the article highlights AI tools like ROSS and DoNotPay helping to democratize access to justice by lowering costs and complexity. It shows real potential for bridging the inequality in legal resources. Thinking beyond law, the same principle of smart technology meeting underserved needs inspires me: for example, at Conyers Handyman / Handyman Service in Covington, we aim to combine efficiency with accessibility in home repair work, making quality services affordable for everyone.

Like

Jason Todd
Jason Todd
Oct 03

This is a really thought-provoking post, especially around how AI tools like ROSS and DoNotPay are attempting to bridge the justice gap by offering legal assistance to those without access. It made me think: just as the legal field is being transformed by intelligent automation, so too can industries like web development and SEO benefit from smart tools. For example, teams like WBSoft Tech could integrate AI-driven content analysis, while a Squarespace SEO Expert might use machine learning to optimize site structure and keywords more efficiently.

Like

Divya Rawat
Divya Rawat
Sep 24

Experience true indulgence with a stunning Delhi Call Girl who knows exactly how to satisfy every desire. From dinner dates to wild intimate sessions, their companionship ensures your time together is filled with unmatched joy.

Like

In the spirit of reconciliation, Survive Law acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

© Survive Law 2023

bottom of page