Artificial intelligence opens access to justice in Odesa

A blogger from Odesa conducted a civil case without a lawyer, using artificial intelligence to help prepare documents and arguments. Experts noted that her example shows how AI can help in civil cases.

All this was discussed on the air of Intent.Insight with Sasha Koren and lawyer Vitaliy Matveev, where they analyzed in detail how to work with AI in a lawsuit and what risks exist.

In Odesa, blogger and journalist Sasha Korin became one of the first in Ukraine to successfully conduct a court case without a lawyer, using artificial intelligence as an assistant. It was a civil case regarding the inheritance of an apartment after the death of her father, who lived in Russia. The city council acted as a defendant, as there were disputed issues regarding the right to use and dispose of the property.

Korin explained that she decided to pursue the case on her own because of the high cost of a lawyer's services - about $1,000 - and her desire to fully control the process.

According to the journalist, she actively used ChatGPT: she received advice on formulating claims, arguments in written documents, and tactics of behavior in an electronic court. At the same time, she checked all the documents personally, as artificial intelligence can make mistakes and to maintain confidentiality.

According to the blogger, AI helped to structure documents, edit texts, and suggest legal wording, but she made the final decision on what to file in court and how to argue.

I saw ChatGPT as an advisor, not a replacement for a lawyer," Korin said.

Vitaliy Matveev, a lawyer, explained that in Ukraine, the law does not currently provide for liability for AI actions, so the user is responsible for legal documents created by artificial intelligence. He noted that in complex or criminal cases, artificial intelligence cannot replace a lawyer, as it does not conduct interrogations, evaluate evidence, and has no professional experience to make strategic decisions. However, in civil cases, such as inheritance or alimony, this tool can greatly simplify the preparation of documents, especially in electronic courts.

Korin added that the experience of this case inspired her to continue using AI as an assistant in courts for simple cases, including administrative claims, alimony, and other civil disputes. She emphasized that it is important not to rely entirely on artificial intelligence but to control the process personally.

Experts believe that this case is a combination of an innovative approach and a precedent that demonstrates the potential for partial automation of civil proceedings. This can significantly relieve the judicial system and give access to justice to people who cannot afford a full-time lawyer, but there is no full-time replacement for a lawyer yet.

Back in the summer, Oleksandra said she was planning to go to court, but the services of a lawyer were too expensive for her. The court rejected her first application and gave her five days to correct it, but later accepted it, opened proceedings, and on October 24, satisfied the claim.

Анна Літман