The Lady Chief Justice's Annual Report 2026 says growing numbers of litigants in person are "using AI to construct their claims" in the King's Bench Division Civil List and the Administrative Court. The report says this "is improving access to justice but is also placing significant demands on both court staff and the judiciary".
Published 10 November 2026. Updated 11 November 2026. Summary of the Lady Chief Justice's Annual Report 2026, not legal advice.
by Margo Legal. Published .
What does the Lady Chief Justice's 2026 report say about AI and litigants in person?
The Lady Chief Justice's Annual Report 2026 says growing numbers of litigants in person are "using AI to construct their claims" in the King's Bench Division Civil List and the Administrative Court. The report says this "is improving access to justice but is also placing significant demands on both court staff and the judiciary".
Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill laid the report before Parliament, and the judiciary published it on 5 November 2026. It covers the work of the judiciary from October 2025 to September 2026.
Why does AI use by litigants in person add to court workload?
The report gives one practical reason: "Increased case management is often required to establish what remedy the LiP is actually seeking."
In her foreword, the Lady Chief Justice says many judicial office holders "have noted an increase in AI use among litigants in person". Separately, and more broadly than that litigant-in-person point, she says that while AI tools may help with transcription and summarisation, "oversight of use and decision-making will remain a human, judge-led function".
How busy is the Administrative Court?
The Administrative Court received 1,328 applications for judicial review between April and June 2026, up 42% on April to June 2025, according to the report, which cites the Civil justice statistics quarterly. The report does not say how much of that rise is linked to AI.
Is there guidance for litigants in person on using AI?
In criminal appeals, the report says the Court of Appeal Criminal Division has noted AI use in grounds of appeal prepared by litigants in person and is preparing guidance on it.
The Administrative Court Judicial Review Guide 2026, published by the judiciary on 29 September 2026, has a section on using AI tools at paragraph 2.3. It says legal representatives and litigants in person, or those assisting them, "should take reasonable care when using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools" for the drafting of documents in judicial review proceedings (pleadings, witness statements and skeleton arguments). Reasonable care must be taken, in particular, as to the accuracy of citations to legal authorities and of any statement of legal propositions or principles to be derived from those authorities, as well as to factual matters. The Guide adds that those using AI tools "are reminded that AI chatbots may well be prone to error".
Paragraph 2.3.2 says that failing to take reasonable care may result in "costs sanctions, the striking out of a case, the referral to a professional regulator, the initiation of contempt proceedings, or referral to the police", and its footnote cites R (Ayinde) v The London Borough of Haringey [2025] EWHC 1383 (Admin). Paragraph 2.3.3 reminds anyone using AI tools in judicial review proceedings that they must comply with relevant page limits for documents produced for the Court and should not include irrelevant materials.
Brabners, in a note by Glyn Lancefield dated 10 November 2026, says the 2026 Guide includes, for the first time, a specific section on the use of AI tools in judicial review proceedings. The Guide itself says at paragraph 1.1.3 that it does not have the force of law, but is "essential reading for all those who practice in the Administrative Court". Paragraph 2.3.1 applies that reasonable-care requirement to legal representatives and litigants in person, or those assisting them. This page does not tell litigants in person how to run a claim. For the wider civil picture, see what the Civil Justice Council says about AI in court documents.
What does this mean for a law firm?
A firm acting against an unrepresented party may receive more AI-drafted claims and letters, and may need more time to identify the remedy each one is seeking. For AI-generated material that a firm's own clients send in, see what the Law Society says about clients using AI. Related reading also includes telling clients about AI use and human review of legal AI.
Margo is Margo Legal's product in controlled development. This report summary does not depend on using it.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Lady Chief Justice's 2026 report say about AI and litigants in person?
The Lady Chief Justice's Annual Report 2026 says growing numbers of litigants in person are "using AI to construct their claims" in the King's Bench Division Civil List and the Administrative Court. The report says this "is improving access to justice but is also placing significant demands on both court staff and the judiciary".
Why does AI use by litigants in person add to court workload?
The report gives one practical reason: "Increased case management is often required to establish what remedy the LiP is actually seeking."
How busy is the Administrative Court?
The Administrative Court received 1,328 applications for judicial review between April and June 2026, up 42% on April to June 2025, according to the report, which cites the Civil justice statistics quarterly. The report does not say how much of that rise is linked to AI.
Is there guidance for litigants in person on using AI?
Paragraph 2.3 of the Administrative Court Judicial Review Guide 2026 says legal representatives and litigants in person should take reasonable care when using AI tools, especially as to citations, legal propositions or principles, and facts. Failing to do so may result in costs sanctions, striking out, referral to a professional regulator, contempt proceedings or referral to the police.
What does this mean for a law firm?
A firm acting against an unrepresented party may receive more AI-drafted claims and letters, and may need more time to identify the remedy each one is seeking.
Sources
Lady Chief Justice's Annual Report 2026 (PDF)
Lady Chief Justice's Annual Report 2026 (judiciary.uk news page, 5 November 2026)
Margo Legal is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. This page summarises the Lady Chief Justice's Annual Report 2026.