An updated briefing paper from the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory aims to promote discussion about how artificial intelligence could improve the experiences of both professionals and families in the family justice system in the UK.
AI in the family justice system – 2026 concludes that “as the capabilities of general-purpose AI continue to evolve at a lightning pace, it is important to harness its use for the benefit of children and families, as well as recognising its limits”.
However, its writers caution that despite the potential of human-led AI to “help build a future family justice system that is easier to navigate, easier to understand and more equitable,” the use of AI needs to be “informed by what children and parents want”.
Published in March as an update to a 2024 document, the paper also outlines challenges and risks and the governance required for safe usage.
Three distinct areas where AI is being used in the family justice system are categorised as improving families’ experiences, enabling administrative efficiencies and supporting decision making. Paid for and free tools to handle tasks from online dispute resolution (ODR) to AI transcription and case management are discussed.
The paper poses a number of big picture questions pertinent to family law practitioners, including whether they could be doing more to think about how AI could improve families’ experiences.
It also raises questions about challenges and risks, such as bias, privacy, access, transparency and accuracy, and outlines the current governance framework relating to AI.
A 2025 survey of 4,100 people in the UK and the US found that, while almost half the participants were comfortable about the use of AI to support with writing a will or reviewing a rental agreement, only 17% agreed using AI for emotionally complex legal issues such as divorce.
The Ada Lovelace Institute and The Alan Turing Institute undertake annual research on public attitudes to AI in Britain. In 2024/25, their survey found that, while speed and efficiency were seen as benefits of AI, concerns centred on the over reliance on technology over professional judgement, errors and lack of transparency in decision making. Of those surveyed, 67% said they had experienced harm from AI, including false information, financial fraud and deep fakes. The research highlighted that 72% of the public want to see laws and regulations governing AI – an increase of 10% from the 2022/23 survey.
The government’s AI Action Plan for Justice published in 2025 offers a three-year vision for the development and adoption of AI in the wider justice system. How this vision plays out in terms of family justice will require “close attention” according to the briefing paper’s authors.
