An ethical framework is absolutely necessary when designing and implementing artificial intelligence solutions for legal professionals. The CEPEJ has adopted today an European ethical Charter on the use of artificial intelligence in the justice systems to guide the application of artificial intelligence in judicial systems, the first ever European instrument on this topic. His principles reflect fundamental values as well as essential methodological precautions to be taken in the algorithms’ creation and development. For instance, a close cooperation between research workers and all legal professionals is recommended crucial for the of applications aimed at implementing the use of AI in judicial systems. Quality and security need to be ensured.

The Charter refers specifically to the processing of judicial decisions and data by artificial intelligence. Some tools being developed today in this regard are aimed to support legal professionals in performing legal research, or in anticipating the possible outcome of a case brought before a court (the so-called “predictive justice” instruments). Others can be used to support court in the management of cases (for instance by scanning and attributing applications to responsible court sections), or to analyse court performance. Furthermore, these tools can be used outside the litigation process, in the framework for instance of online dispute resolution.

In Appendixes I and II to the Charter, all the possible applications are reviewed and recommendations as to their possible use are formulated.