Across the United States, court systems and legal staff members are increasingly stretched thin. Faced with growing backlogs, mounting hearing delays, and increasingly complex cases, courts are consistently facing the harsh reality of being asked to do more with less time and resources. But what if there was an easier and more secure way to quickly review motions and expert testimony, find relevant sources and citations, and consider evidence and arguments? Today forward-thinking legal professionals and court staff are using generative AI (GenAI) technology to complete arduous and time-consuming legal tasks that previously took weeks to complete, in a matter of minutes.
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GenAI tools tailored to the court system’s needs
Specific ways GenAI tools benefit the court system
Not all GenAI technology is created equal
GenAI tools tailored to the court system’s needs
With the advent of GenAI technology in the early 2020s, came many concerns from legal professionals within the courts surrounding key issues like ease of use, privacy, and how to ensure outputs from GenAI sources were current and legally sound. Today, these concerns have been addressed with specific GenAI technology tools that are not only more efficient and easier to use, but also secure and accurate.
While early GenAI tools like ChatGPT pull information from seemingly infinite information sources, including anything published on the internet, GenAI tools have evolved to utilize something known as retrieval-augmented generation. This means that queries pull from select information sources which for court system personnel may include trusted legal resources like Westlaw, Practical Law, and relevant case files that have been uploaded by legal staff. Using these types of known and trusted legal resources ensures that the information produced is relevant, accurate, and from sources that have been vetted by legal professionals.
In addition to pulling from the most up-to-date and trusted legal sources, today’s GenAI tools quickly provide users with a comprehensive list of citations – giving legal staff the ability to quickly check and confirm sources and gain peace of mind. The GenAI technology used by court systems is also completely private, meaning that none of the information or data supplied or produced is ever shared or made public.
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Specific ways GenAI tools benefit the court system
For our courts and judicial system to function properly, there are many necessary, yet arduous, tasks that must be completed by judges, lawyers, and staff members. And a key benefit of GenAI technology is the sheer volume of documents and data that can quickly be assessed, analyzed, and put into context. Let’s explore four specific ways that GenAI technology can be used by the courts.
Thorough legal research – In a matter of minutes, GenAI tools can quickly synthesize case law, cite relevant sources, and deliver more accurate and trustworthy answers.
Extensive document searches – By quickly mining data from thousands of trusted legal sources, GenAI technology enables court staff members to find relevant information that could easily be missed by manually going through and reading files.
Legal analysis and output – GenAI tools quickly comb through legal documents to produce the information and context needed to answer complex questions – making analytic work faster and easier.
Precise timelines – By uploading relevant case documents, court staff can use GenAI tools to simplify complex information and enhance their understanding through the generation of annotated case timelines.
Not all GenAI technology is created equal
Above all, judges, lawyers, and court staff are always working diligently to ensure that everyone has access to a fair, accurate, and effective judicial process. And, when it comes to working more efficiently and producing thorough and accurate legal information and answers, the court system is quickly realizing the tremendous value that GenAI technology offers.
Learn more about how GenAI technology is transforming the way legal professionals within the court system work.
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