Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of everyday life. Many people now use programmes such as ChatGPT to help write emails, understand complicated information, translate documents or organise their thoughts.
If you are involved in care proceedings, AI can be a useful tool, particularly if you find writing difficult or English is not your first language.
However, there are some important things to understand before using it in connection with your case.
What can AI help me with?
AI can help you:
- Organise your thoughts before meeting your solicitor
- Prepare questions you want to ask
- Improve spelling and grammar
- Understand general legal terms and procedures
- Translate everyday information into another language
- Organise dates and events from your own notes
These are all potentially helpful uses of AI, provided you avoid sharing confidential information.
Can I put my court documents into ChatGPT or another AI programme?
You should not upload court documents, correspondence from your solicitor or confidential information about your case into a public AI programme without first discussing this with your solicitor.
Care proceedings involve very personal information about children and families, including medical information, allegations and assessments.
Some communications with your solicitor are also protected by legal professional privilege, which is an important legal protection for confidential legal advice. Uploading these documents into an AI programme may put confidentiality and legal professional privilege at risk. There are also special rules about sharing information from court proceedings involving children. Even removing names and addresses may not be enough to prevent somebody from being identified.
If you are unsure, ask your solicitor before uploading anything.
What if English is not my first language or I struggle with writing?
AI can be useful for translating everyday information, improving spelling, or helping you express your thoughts more clearly.
However, legal language can have very particular meanings, and AI translations are not always accurate. If you need help understanding court documents or legal advice, tell your solicitor. A professional interpreter or translator may be needed. You should not have to rely on AI to understand important information about your case.
Can AI help me write emails or prepare my statement?
AI can help you organise your thoughts and improve the clarity of something you have written. However, be careful that it does not change the meaning of what you want to say or make your language more forceful than you intended.
Particular care is needed with court statements. Your statement is your evidence. It must accurately reflect what happened and what you want the court to know. AI should never be used to invent, exaggerate or embellish your account of events.
Your solicitor will help you prepare your statement, and you must understand and agree with everything written in it. You may later be questioned about it in court.
If you have used AI to help prepare any material for your case, tell your solicitor.
Can I rely on AI for legal advice?
AI can provide useful general information, but it is not a substitute for advice from a solicitor who knows your circumstances.
AI can make mistakes, misunderstand information and even refer to court cases which do not exist. If something you read through AI worries you or appears to contradict your solicitor’s advice, discuss it with your solicitor.
What if I have already used AI?
There is no need to be embarrassed about telling your solicitor.
If you have used AI to prepare documents, write emails or analyse information about your case, explain this to your solicitor. If you have uploaded confidential court documents or personal information, it is particularly important to let your solicitor know so that they can consider whether anything further needs to be done.
AI can be helpful, but use it carefully
AI can make information easier to understand and help people communicate more confidently. These are real benefits.
However, care proceedings involve sensitive information and important decisions about children’s futures.
Use AI to help you understand general information and organise your thoughts, but do not share confidential documents or rely on it to provide legal advice.
Above all, remember that AI should help you communicate and understand your case. It should not replace your own voice or the professional advice you receive.
Further information
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) published a warning notice on 17 August 2026 about the misuse of AI in legal services.
The guidance highlights concern about inaccurate AI-generated information and the risks to client confidentiality and legal professional privilege when information is entered into AI systems without appropriate safeguards.
Although the guidance is directed at solicitors and law firms, it provides useful information about the risks of using AI in legal proceedings.
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