Futures
The Futures Group supports the Civil Justice Council by providing forward-looking analysis of technological, procedural and systemic developments likely to shape the future of civil justice. Its role is to anticipate emerging trends—particularly in digital justice and artificial intelligence—and to assess how these developments may alter the nature, volume and resolution of civil disputes. The Group is concerned with medium to long‑term change rather than current operational delivery, and aims to assist the Council in understanding the strategic questions raised by new technologies, including their implications for system design, procedural integrity, public confidence and access to justice.
Terms of Reference
The Futures Group will:
- Undertake horizon scanning of domestic and international developments in digital justice, artificial intelligence and related technologies relevant to civil justice;
- Analyse how emerging technologies may affect the volume, nature and profile of civil claims, patterns of dispute resolution and litigation behaviour;
- Consider the implications of digital and AI‑enabled processes for the structure, design and operation of the civil justice system, including procedural, ethical and evidential issues;
- Assess future developments in digital justice against core access to justice principles, including fairness, transparency, proportionality and public confidence;
- Support the Civil Justice Council by identifying strategic issues, risks and opportunities that may warrant future reform, innovation or policy attention within the Council’s wider programme of work.
Membership
The Civil Justice Council is running an Expression of Interest campaign for the Futures Group – if you have experience in any of the following, please see the EoI notice (PDF).
- Data Infrastructure and Information Governance member
- Legal Tech Member
- Knowledge and Innovation member
Full membership details will be published following the completion of this EoI campaign.