11/06/2026
AI is ‘entering the courtroom to stay’ - Pentland
Lord Pentland, Scotland’s most senior judge, says that AI is now a permanent fixture in courtrooms. In a speech to the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow, he highlighted that 89% of legal professionals use AI. While AI can enhance efficiency and access to justice, he cautioned against judges relying solely on algorithms. He noted potential risks, including unrepresented individuals submitting inaccurate materials. “AI should be used as a supplementary tool,” he said, emphasising the need for the legal profession to adapt responsibly to the technology. Lord Pentland’s comments came after Lord Reed, President of the UK Supreme Court, warned that courts may have to “fight fire with fire” by deploying AI in response to a “huge increase” in claims. John Bett, Dean of the Royal Faculty of Procurators, said that “there is no doubt” that the technology “is here to stay,” adding: “The question for those in the legal community is how we use it in a responsible way while maintaining public trust.”