УДК 342.56:004.8

ORCID: 0000-0002-8494-1937

DOI 10.37566/2707-6849-2024-2(47)-3

PDF

Andriy HACHKEVYCH,

Associate Professor of the Department of International and Criminal LawLviv Polytechnic National University, candidate of Law, associate professor

PREREQUISITES FOR THE SAFE USE OF AI INSTRUMENTS BY JUDGES

The increasing use of AI technologies by judges for consideration and resolution of cases is inevitable. This transformation is evident in various judicial proceedings and is closely linked to the pressing issue of integrating artificial intelligence into the activities of courts. This article examines the training of judges in the safe use of AI tools. The term “safe use” reflects a cautiously positive approach to new technologies, achieved through raising awareness of artificial intelligence and mastering the skills required for providing automated task performance, while adhering to principles and following recommendations.

The study considers AI tools for judiciary as modern technologies and systems that enable judges and other legal practitioners to achieve results that previously required human thought processes. The author gives examples of tasks and functions in the legal area that can be automated to meet specific needs. Additionally, he addresses common misconceptions about artificial intelligence and introduces principles from Draft UNESCO Guidelines for the Use of AI Systems in Courts and Tribunals aimed at minimizing associated risks. The study also highlights recent guidelines from the judiciary officials of Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, which contain useful suggestions aligned with ethical principles of AI and main ideas of justice.

The article focuses on the importance of the prerequisites for the safe use in light of the emergence of GenAI chatbots. These chatbots operate based on user’s prompts and are extensively used across various areas and professions, including the area of law and judges. The study’s findings could be used as supplementary materials to develop recommendations for Ukrainian judges, with the intention of making further amendments to the Code of Judicial Ethics.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, AI tools, artificial intelligence in judiciary, use of artificial intelligence by judges, Code of Judicial Ethics, AI hallucination, ChatGPT, AI systems.

References

Hachkevych A. Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Sphere of the Judiciary and the Perspectives for Future Research. Slovo of the National School of Judges of Ukraine. 2024. Vol. 46, iss. 1. Pp. 27-37. [ukr.].

Bielov D., Bielova M. Artificial intelligence in judicial proceedings and court decisions, potential and risks. Uzhhorod National University Herald. Series: Law. 2023. Vol. 78, p. 2. Pp. 315-320. [ukr.].

Shyshka N.  Artificial intelligence in Ukrainian justice: legal prerequisites for implementation. Juridical Scientific and Electronic Journal. 2021. Iss. 3. Pp. 143–145. [ukr.].

Karmaza O., Fedorenko T. Principles of artificial intelligence in the justice of Ukraine. Law and Society. 2021. Iss. 2. Pp. 18-24. [ukr.].

Riepina Yu. Global Standards and practices of artificial intelligence applying in judicial systems. Issues of crime prevention. 2021. Vol. 41. Pp. 29-37. [ukr.].

Klymenko K. Modern information tools in judicial and lawying. Uzhhorod National University Herald. Series: Law. 2021. Vol. 65. Pp. 348-352. [ukr.].

Krat V., Holubovskyi I. Artificial intelligence and judiciary. Legal Newspaper. 2024. April 18. No. 3. Pp. 16-18. [ukr.].

The use of artificial intelligence in judiciary: Representatives of the Supreme Court gave lectures at the National School of Law. Supreme Court of Ukraine. URL: https://supreme.court.gov.ua/supreme/pokazniki-diyalnosti/navch_suddiv_praciv_aparativ_2021/1593651/

Amendments to the Code of Judicial Ethics: censorship for judges, control over behavior in social networks, and permission to use artificial intelligence. Judicial-Legal Newspaper. URL: https://sud.ua/uk/news/publication/309698-izmeneniya-v-kodeks-sudeyskoy-etiki-tsenzura-dlya-sudey-kontrol-nad-povedeniem-v-sotssetyakh-i-razreshenie-na-ispolzovanie-iskusstvennogo-intellekta

Hachkevych A. Sphere of AI in the Japanese Soft Law Acts. Part 2. Concept, Principles and Actors. European Perspectives. 2024. Iss. 2. Pp. 232-243. [ukr.].

Document for consultation: Draft UNESCO Guidelines for the Use of AI Systems in Courts and Tribunals. UNESDOC Digital Library. URL: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000390781

Reiling D. Courts and Artificial Intelligence. The voice of the European legal professional. URL:

https://www.ccbe.eu/fileadmin/speciality_distribution/public/documents/Events/20201027_Online_Roundtable/Dory-Reiling-Court-and-AI.pdf

Hachkevych A., Nykolyshyn M. AI Toolkit for Diplomats. International Science Journal of Jurisprudence & Philosophy. 2023. Vol. 2, iss. 3. Pp. 45-54. [ukr.].

UNESCO Global Judges’ Initiative: survey on the use of AI systems by judicial operators. UNESDOC Digital Library. URL: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000389786

Harber v. Commissioners for His Majesty's Revenue and Customs. British and Irish Legal Information Institute. URL: https://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKFTT/TC/2023/TC09010.html

Mata v. Avianca Inc (2023). Findlaw (Thomson Reuters). URL: https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-dis-crt-sd-new-yor/2335142.html

Zhang v. Chen, 2024 BCSC 285. The Courts of British Columbia. URL: https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/sc/24/02/2024BCSC0285cor1.htm

Referring to the “position” of the AI system ChatGPT in the statement regarding the clarification of the decision of the court of cassation demonstrates a lack of respect for judges and constitutes an abuse of procedural rights. Supreme Court of Ukraine. URL: https://supreme.court.gov.ua/supreme/pres-centr/news/1566118/

Lam L. Generative AI being tested for use in Singapore Courts, starting with small claims tribunal. Channel NewsAsia. URL: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/artificial-intelligence-court-small-claims-singapore-chatgpt-3801756

Kaaru S. Morocco to use AI in courts. Coingeek. URL: https://coingeek.com/morocco-to-use-ai-in-courts/

Guidance for Judicial Office Holders. Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. URL: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AI-Judicial-Guidance.pdf

Guidelines for use of generative artificial intelligence in Courts and Tribunals. Courts of New Zealand. URL: https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/going-to-court/practice-directions/practice-guidelines/all-benches/guidelines-for-use-of-generative-artificial-intelligence-in-courts-and-tribunals/

Interim Principles and Guidelines on the Court’s Use of Artificial Intelligence. Federal Court. URL: https://www.fct-cf.gc.ca/en/pages/law-and-practice/artificial-intelligence

Bell F., Moses L.B., Legg M., Silove J., Zalnieriute M. AI Decision Making and the Courts. A guide for Judges, Tribunal Members and Court Administrators. The Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration Inc. URL: https://aija.org.au/wp-content/uploads/woocommerce_uploads/2022/06/AI-DECISION-MAKING-AND-THE-COURTS_Report_V5-2022-06-20-1lzkls.pd

Moses L.B., Legg M., Silove J., Zalnieriute M., Mahmood S. AI Decision Making and the Courts. A guide for Judges, Tribunal Members and Court Administrators. The Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration Inc. URL: https://aija.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AIJA_AI-DecisionMakingReport_2023update.pdf

European ethical Charter on the use of Artificial Intelligence in judicial systems and their environment. European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ). URL: https://rm.coe.int/ethical-charter-en-for-publication-4-december-2018/16808f699c