Singapore’s courts are using artificial intelligence not to replace judges, but to support justice by improving efficiency, clarity, and access for everyone involved. The approach is practical: AI assists with tasks that are repetitive, document-heavy, or hard for busy people to manage — while human judges remain fully in charge of decisions.
Where Singapore Uses AI
1) Case summarisation
In the Small Claims Tribunals, an AI tool generates concise, factual summaries of evidence and arguments so magistrates and self-represented parties understand cases faster. The tool does not offer legal advice — it just improves comprehension.
2) Translation and transcription
AI helps translate documents into English and generate courtroom transcripts more quickly, reducing administrative delays.
3) Legal research support
Courts are experimenting with AI to help with research and drafting support, but always under careful human supervision.
Key Principles Behind Singapore’s Approach
AI supports, it doesn’t decide. Judges retain full authority.
Human accountability stays central. Outputs help people, they don’t substitute for judgment.
Focus on access to justice. Tools are designed to help users — especially those without lawyers — understand their cases.
Singapore’s model shows how AI can help courts work smarter without compromising fairness. It targets high-volume document tasks and procedural bottlenecks, not legal outcomes. For other judicial systems, the lesson is simple: start with assistive AI, build trust, and protect fairness.