UK legal professionals have been exploring the benefits and pitfalls of using ChatGPT.
In a candid reflection on his experience, Lord Justice Birss described ChatGPT as “jolly useful” for his work, echoing the sentiment of many legal professionals curious about the potential of AI in the courtroom.
Lord Justice Birss, known for his expertise in intellectual property law, recently highlighted how he used ChatGPT to summarise an area of law.
This step marks the first known instance of a British judge incorporating the AI tool into a legal judgment.
Speaking at a Law Society conference, he noted the tool’s potential, stating, “These large language models can summarise information effectively.” But he emphasised, “I’m taking full personal responsibility for my judgments.”
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However, concerns arise as AI’s role in the legal industry expands.
In New York, two lawyers faced fines after ChatGPT led them to cite non-existent cases in a legal brief.
Steven Schwartz, one of the lawyers, expressed regret, admitting he was misled by the tool.
This incident caused significant reputational damage, leading to a fine of $5,000 (£3,935) for the involved parties.
In light of such events, UK law firm Mishcon de Reya decided to prohibit the use of ChatGPT. They cited data concerns as a primary reason for this decision.
Recent studies from prestigious institutions like Stanford and UC Berkeley have also pointed towards potential accuracy issues with ChatGPT.
International Perspectives on AI in Law
But the UK isn’t the only country experimenting with AI in law.
In Colombia, a judge in Cartagena, Juan Manuel Padilla, used ChatGPT to make a crucial decision regarding an autistic child’s medical expenses.
The AI tool’s response aligned with the judge’s eventual ruling, suggesting the medical plan should cover the child’s medical and transport costs.
While AI tools like ChatGPT offer promising solutions for legal professionals, it’s evident that caution is required.
As the legal community grapples with the role of AI, a balance between innovation and reliability becomes paramount.
As Sir Geoffrey Vos, master of the rolls and head of civil justice, mentioned, The legal system might need mechanisms to manage generative AI’s use, ensuring its benefits don’t compromise the integrity of the law.
