Chief registrar’s office to provide guidelines on AI use in court

The chief registrar’s office will issue a circular on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in court proceedings within a few weeks, Chief Justice Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh said today.

“We are not discouraging them (from using AI); in fact, we are encouraging it. There must be guidelines for them to follow.

“Whether we hate it or love it, we have to embrace it,” he said, adding that AI could save a lot of judicial time and work if properly used.

Wan Farid was talking to reporters after speaking at the International Malaysia Law Conference 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre here.

In his opening address at the conference, he said lawyers were here to stay despite the assistance provided by AI.

He also recounted a story about a law firm partner who instructed the firm’s tech-savvy pupils to install AI software.

“A few weeks later, the partner asked the pupils about the progress and whether AI had ‘solved our clients’ problems’.

“The pupils said AI helped analyse data and process questions on case law, but responded ‘it depends’ when asked about the (possible case) outcome,” he said.

Wan Farid reminded lawyers to be honest in carrying out their duties, saying while technology could accelerate the administration of justice, “it can never become the author of justice itself”.

“The duty belongs exclusively to us as human custodians of the law,” he said.