Farrer & Co Supports JUSTICE’s UN Submission on AI and Judicial Independence
Farrer & Co has provided pro bono assistance to the law reform charity JUSTICE in preparing and submitting a report to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite. The submission addresses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on judicial systems.
The Special Rapporteur has called on Member States, national human rights institutions, international and regional organisations, civil society, scholars, and activists to contribute written inputs for her upcoming thematic report on AI and judicial systems. This report is scheduled for presentation at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in October 2025.
About JUSTICE
JUSTICE is a UK-based law reform charity focused on promoting fair, accessible, and equal justice systems. It serves as the UK section of the International Commission of Jurists. The organisation advocates for improvements in the justice system and monitors changes that may threaten human rights and the rule of law.
Key Points of the JUSTICE Submission
The submission builds on findings from JUSTICE’s recent report published in January 2025, led by Sophia Adams Bhatti. It proposes a rights- and rule of law-based framework for the use of AI in judicial settings, which includes:
- Setting clear objectives for how AI can strengthen human rights and uphold the rule of law within justice systems.
- Identifying risks that may undermine human rights at technical, individual, and societal levels.
- Encouraging responsible action by all actors involved in different stages of AI deployment to safeguard human rights and judicial independence.
Contributors to the Submission
Ellen Lefley, Senior Lawyer at JUSTICE, collaborated closely with pro bono volunteers from Farrer & Co, including Ian De Freitas, Rhian Lewis, Emily Waterhouse, Emily Costello, Constance Gillespie, and Andrew Dixon, to prepare and file the submission.
This initiative highlights the importance of legal expertise in shaping policies around AI use in judicial processes, ensuring that emerging technologies respect fundamental rights and legal principles.
For legal professionals interested in the intersection of AI and law, exploring specialised training resources can provide practical insights on how to engage with these developments. See Complete AI Training’s courses for legal professionals to learn more.