Revolution in law studies: AI tools relieve the burden on students and judges!

Revolution in law studies: AI tools relieve the burden on students and judges!

On September 25, 2025, an important event will take place at Saarland University that will focus on the integration of generative language models such as ChatGPT in law studies. Professor Georg Borges from the Institute for Legal Informatics has been conducting research into the potential of these AI tools in collaboration with his students and young scientists for some time. The results of this research will be presented at 6 p.m. in building B4 1, room 017 on the Saarbrücken campus and will be broadcast live at the same time, making it easier to access these important topics.

Borges emphasizes that AI tools are able to check legal texts for formal criteria and find relevant evidence. However, he warns that these technologies are also flawed. The aim of the project is to minimize linguistic and formal errors in legal assignments so that students can focus more attention on the depth of the content of their work.

Innovations in justice through AI

At the same time, a new research project was launched in Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia to develop a generative language model for the judiciary. This initiative aims to reduce the burden on the courts through the use of artificial intelligence and legal tech. A signed agreement outlines the specific use cases of the Generative Language Model of Justice (GSJ). This includes formulating new text modules, filtering out undisputed facts from files and comparing pleadings.

Bavaria's Justice Minister Georg Eisenreich emphasizes that AI remains an aid and that responsibility for judgments still lies with the judges. The project, which will be tested until the end of 2026, benefits from financial support from the federal government's digitalization initiative.

Another aspect of modern justice in Bavaria is comprehensive digitalization. This includes the introduction of electronic legal transactions, which has already enabled numerous video hearings since July 2021. In addition, the e-file will be introduced in 127 locations by January 1, 2026.

Collaboration and future prospects

The new projects receive scientific support from the Technical University of Munich and the University of Cologne. Particularly important is the founding of the “Legal Tech Colab”, an incubator for start-ups in the legal tech sector. This enables lawyers and IT experts to network. The profession of IT law and legal tech is also being strengthened through new training offers for trainees.

In addition, initiatives to improve the criminal justice system are discussed. These include projects for the automated detection of criminally relevant content and the automated anonymization of judgments.

The increasing number of AI initiatives in the German justice system is clearly visible. These primarily concern routine tasks and should ultimately lead to an increase in efficiency and modernization of legal processes. The presentation of a comprehensive AI strategy for the judiciary is planned for spring 2025, which will form the basis for a common platform for the exchange and use of AI applications.

Overall, both projects, both at Saarland University and in the judiciary of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, show a varied potential of AI that could revolutionize training and work in jurisprudence. The challenge remains to implement these technologies effectively while ensuring the necessary human oversight and responsibility.