05/08/2026
AI AND THE LAW
The law permeates every aspect of our lives. From compliance with road rules to contractual arrangements and codes of behaviour in private and public life, the law reflects the values and social standards within our society.
In Australia, parliamentarians elected by the people shape the law. The judiciary and law enforcement are tasked with implementing the law in civil and criminal matters. Knowledge of the law in Australia can be found in state and federal legislation, as well as case precedents in matters dealt with before the courts.
We have an obligation to obey the law, ignorance of which is only rarely a valid defense.
Consequences of breaking the law vary, ranging from civil penalties to criminal records.
Artificial intelligence (“AI”) is making an impact on accessibility to legal concepts, but lawyers continue to have a crucial role in distilling AI fact from fiction. AI is still in its infancy. Inaccuracies, hallucinated statues and AI invented case law leads to flawed reasoning in resolving matters, as many lawyers have themselves discovered when looking to what AI has to offer. Ethics, empathy, human guidance, negotiation skills and strategic planning in case resolution remain firmly in the realm of human interaction with the legal profession.
