Source: Global News

Global News examines the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence within the Canadian judicial system as of January 2026. The report highlights the increasing pressure on legal professionals to maintain technological competence while ensuring that AI-generated content does not undermine the integrity of court proceedings. Several Canadian provinces have already implemented practice directions requiring lawyers to disclose when generative AI has been used to draft legal submissions or conduct research, a move intended to prevent the submission of "hallucinated" or non-existent case citations.

The article stresses that while AI offers significant efficiency gains in document review and administrative tasks, its use in substantive legal reasoning remains controversial. Judges and legal experts express concern over the potential for algorithmic bias and the loss of human oversight in critical judicial decisions. Consequently, the legal profession in Canada is shifting toward a model where AI is viewed strictly as a supportive tool, with ultimate responsibility for the accuracy and ethics of legal work remaining firmly with the human practitioner. This transition is marked by a need for standardized ethical guidelines across all judicial districts.