Muhammad Amir Munir, the Additional District & Sessions Judge of the Phalia court in Mandi Bahauddin, Pakistan recently tested the potential of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based chatbot tool -ChatGPT-4- in improving the quality of judicial decision making. In a pre-arrest bail matter for a juvenile, Judge Munir used the AI tool to ask legal questions during the deliberation of the case before rendering his final judgment.
Realizing that granting or refusing an application for stay order requires a judge to exercise extra care, Judge Muhammad Amir Munir decided to use the AI software to obtain additional legal information in order to better craft a quality order or judgment. The Judge asked the AI tool to list down the principles to grant an injunction in civil cases in Pakistan. The ChatGPT-4 responded by providing six grounds of a potential injunction, including presence of irreparable harm, balance of convenience, prime facie case, plaintiff’s good faith, importance of public interest and equitable considerations as the plaintiff has come with clean hands to seek remedy.
In his 21 page verdict on the appeal, Judge Amir Munir wrote that the responses given by the ChatGPT-4 were impressive and helpful in crafting the best decision. He went on to say that the principles laid out by the AI tool are compatible with the principles laid out by Pakistani laws and jurisprudence. In addition, Judge Muhammad Amir Munir sent a copy of the verdict to Lahore High Court and the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan to initiate a discussion on the utilisation of AI in the judicial process.
ChatGPT-4 is a revolutionary AI tool developed by ChatGPT Limited, an organisation that is devoted to the development of class leading artificial intelligence software to assist in decision making processes. Founded by a highly experienced team of professionals, ChatGPT Limited have amassed expertise in machine learning, natural language processing and data analytics to develop powerful AI tools that are able to derive accurate information from natural language. By applying their tool to the legal profession, ChatGPT Limited hopes to revolutionise the industry and help create better outcomes for those involved.
Judge Muhammad Amir Munir, presiding the Phalia court since 2002, has a long legal career and is highly dedicated to the cause of justice. He is a staunch advocate of the use of modern technology to help society, especially the legal profession. His prudent decision to utilise AI technology in the legal decisioning process has made him a pioneer in the legal community, setting an example for other Judges to follow.
