AI-generated filings add to Salzburg judges’ workload

AI-generated legal filings, some hundreds of pages long, are adding to the workload of judges in Salzburg, ORF reports. The submissions are often linguistically polished but contain serious deficiencies, according to Claudia Klampfer of the Austrian Judges’ Association.

Judges and prosecutors are drawing attention to pressure on the justice system during a nationwide week of action. In Salzburg, staff shortages and unfilled positions are already pushing judges to their limits, the report said.

Klampfer said artificial intelligence has made it easier for people to put together their own claims. Many of the resulting documents do not comply with procedural rules, but judges must still review them, creating substantial extra work.

Klampfer also said people’s willingness to sue has risen in recent years, as many can no longer afford to give up money owed to them. The increase in claims comes as Salzburg is short of 16 judges.

Using AI to ease court workloads is conceivable, but Austria does not yet have dedicated justice-sector AI tools to help process claims or draft judgments. The Justice Ministry has announced plans to develop such tools, but it is unclear when they could be introduced.