Victorian Law Reform Commission releases Australia’s first inquiry into AI use in courts and tribunals
Author ADM+S Centre
Date 6 February 2026
The Victorian Law Reform Commission has completed a report on Artificial Intelligence in Victoria’s Courts and Tribunals, marking the first inquiry by an Australian law reform body into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in courts and tribunals.
The report, tabled in Parliament on 3 February 2026, contains 30 recommendations to ensure the safe use of AI in Victoria’s courts and tribunals.
Given the rapidly changing nature of AI, the Commission recommends that Victoria’s courts adopt a principles-based regulatory approach.
People are increasingly using AI in courts and tribunals. Over a third of Victorian lawyers are using AI, as well as some experts and self-represented litigants. The use of AI by Victoria’s courts and VCAT is at an early stage but increasing, with some pilots underway.
AI can support more efficient court services and greater access to justice but there are significant risks. There are issues about the security and privacy of information used in AI tools. AI tools can also provide information that is biased or inaccurate. There is a growing number of cases where inaccurate or hallucinated (made up) AI generated content has been submitted to courts.
The Commission said the inquiry differed from its usual work because of the speed and uncertainty surrounding AI technologies.
“Often our projects involve recommending law reform for existing legal issues. In contrast, this inquiry was forward-looking and required us to anticipate how AI will be used in courts and tribunals,” the Victorian Law Reform Commission said.
“The rapidly changing technology, evolving regulatory landscape and breadth of issues added to the challenge of this inquiry.”
Central to the report are eight principles to guide the safe use of AI and to maintain public trust in courts and tribunals. Guidelines are recommended to support court users, judicial officers and court and tribunal staff to implement the principles.
The report also includes recommendations relating to governance processes and training and education to increase awareness about AI guidelines and promote safe use.
The ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision Making and Society (ADM+S) is acknowledged in the report for contributing expert input as a member of the Expert Group, including feedback on the consultation paper and the final report.
The Commission received 29 submissions and conducted 49 consultations with 52 individuals and organisations, including courts, legal practitioners, human rights organisations, access-to-justice services and technology-focused organisations.
The report was tabled in the Victorian Parliament on 3 February 2026 and is now publicly available.
Expert group members from the ADM+S: Dist. Prof Julian Thomas (RMIT), Prof Christine Parker, Dr Jake Goldenfein (University of Melbourne), Prof Kimberlee Weatherall (University of Sydney), Dr Aaron Snoswell (QUT) and Will Cesta (University of Sydney).
Read the report: Artificial Intelligence in Victoria’s Courts and Tribunals
