Law360, London (March 17, 2026, 1:25 PM GMT) -- Judges in England and Wales are being trained to recognize the use of artificial intelligence in the courtroom, the head of the judiciary said Wednesday, as well as the "threats" that emerging technologies bring to "administrating the delivery of justice."

Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr said at her annual press conference that judges were being trained how to spot the use of AI and to be "increasingly aware of the threats as well the benefits that technology can bring" to courtrooms. 

Chief Justice Carr made her comments after a man was accused by a High Court judge of wearing smart glasses to secretly receive "coaching" while he gave evidence.

Judge Raquel Agnello KC said in a judgment at the Insolvency and Companies Court on March 11 that the claimant, Laimonas Jakstys, had received assistance via wearable tech. He was giving evidence in a trial over the ownership of property developer Oneta.

The judge found that Jakstys had been "assisted or coached in his replies to questions put to him during cross-examination" during the trial in January.

Chief Justice Carr told reporters at the Royal Courts of Justice that the tech-savvyness of the judiciary would surprise many people. "And, looking ahead, judges of the future won't know what a piece of paper looks like," she added. 

"We have some really good AI training and guidance — it was updated three times last year," the chief justice said. "That's how fast we're moving."  

The chief justice also addressed questions about the security of judges amid plans by the U.K. government to curb jury trials. 

"I see it as my responsibility to make it as plain as I can, that I have grave security concerns if there are going to judge alone trials," Chief Justice Carr said. "It's a very different environment you're working in." But, she added, she had been assured that her concerns had been heard.
 
The government has proposed in the bill to scrap jury trials for offenses that are likely to carry a prison sentence of three years or fewer. 

Magistrates, who already hear almost all criminal cases in England and Wales alone without a jury, would be authorized to impose sentences of up to 18 months, up from 12 months.

Chief Justice Carr said her biggest concern centers on judges "going into the same building every day."  

She noted the establishment of a security task force, which had led to "a better understanding around England and Wales about the importance of judicial security" and "better engagement with the police." 

Judicial security is a "huge issues", Chief Justice Carr said, "and the proposed reforms will continue to keep the pressure on this." 

--Editing by Joe Millis.

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