Four Reasons not to use AI in your Family Law Matter

Technology is changing rapidly and the biggest technological influence on our world today is AI -Artificial Intelligence. This technology is considered advantageous as it is quick, cheap and easy.

In a busy world, it can be tempting to use it for all sort of things – from generating computer code to planning a birthday party. But beware of the risks with using AI for your family law matter. Below, I have set out 4 reasons why NOT to use it.

1. AI is Rudimentary

AI has a long way to go. We have tested AI and its ability to answer many legal questions. In some cases, the answers have been entirely wrong. In other cases, we have asked the same question twice and received different answers. In all cases, AI only works with the information you provide it, so unless it knows every detail about your case, it is unable to give you the correct answers.

If you rely on information from AI when trying to navigate family law, you may end up down the wrong path. This could really jeopardise the outcome of your case. It could cost you thousands in your property settlement. It could cost you time with your children.

2. AI Cannot Think Critically

While family law is governed by a few key pieces of legislation and case law, the law is crafted so it can apply to all sorts of different scenarios. Every family is unique, and every circumstance is unique. You may have a friend or family member that has been through a separation and the circumstances may seem similar to yours. This does not mean your result will be the same. In family law, sometimes the difference of only one detail could mean an entirely different outcome for you, compared to someone else.

When you seek information from AI about your circumstances, rather than obtaining advice from an experienced family lawyer, you are only getting general information, some of which may not apply to you. Worse still, AI is probably missing critical information specific to your case.

3. Confidentiality and Privacy Risks

You compromise the privacy and confidentiality of your own personal information if you are inputting those details into an AI database.

You should be asking if you know who then owns or has access to your information? Or where it is distributed? Most people don’t.

There can also be repercussions if you are disclosing information from family law Court proceedings to the public as it is a criminal offence to do so under the Family Law Act.

 4. AI is Generic

Your family law matter is deeply personal to you. It is your unique journey.

Information generated by AI is generic.

We are seeing people trying to navigate family law by using AI, including in messages to the other party, in legal correspondence, or in Court documents.

It is easy to tell when AI has been used. There will usually be errors in the use of legal language such that draft agreements would not hold up as enforceable. There is also a lack of persona.

This can be a real problem for litigants if they then attend a hearing which requires oral submissions to the Court, or the giving evidence in the witness box. The Registrar or Judge will be able to tell that their evidence is not their own story. If it isn’t, this could affect how much weight the Court gives to that evidence, and may well impact their perceived credibility.

Summary

AI seems to be quick and easy, but it certainly won’t be cheap.

It will cost you.

If you rely on information from AI when trying to navigate family law, it could seriously jeopardise the outcome of your case. It could cost you thousands in your property settlement. It could cost you time with your children.

Always seek advice specific to your circumstances from an experienced family law Solicitor.