An ‘AI legal team’ has won its first case. It’s a rare win for access to justice
A recent ruling suggests that if used well, AI offers an opportunity to improve access to justice. Courts and tribunals will have to perform a careful balancing act.
In a historic legal victory, Gregory Baker, a computing academic at Macquarie University, has become the first person to successfully navigate the legal system without the aid of a lawyer. This remarkable case has been hailed as a "landmark" decision, marking the first test of Labor's "employee choice pathway" reforms passed in 2024.
Baker, who represented himself at the tribunals, achieved this feat with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) agents. The AI agents helped him construct his case, follow up references, and anticipate potential counterarguments from his employer, the university. Baker's success illustrates how highly capable users can employ AI tools to great effect in legal proceedings.
However, the use of AI in the legal field has also drawn attention for less positive reasons, with inaccuracies, hallucinations, and "AI slop" creating significant challenges for courts and tribunals. As AI tools become more prevalent in legal proceedings, there is growing concern over the balance between managing caseloads and delivering justice while not missing the opportunity to expand access to justice for those who need it most.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
