Legal experts, judges, and policymakers from across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region convened at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 22, 2026, to establish governance frameworks for responsible AI deployment in justice systems. Discussions centered on maintaining a human-in-the-loop (requiring human oversight for automated tasks) to ensure fairness, accountability, and the protection of human rights in court proceedings. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), regional investments in legal technology are projected to expand from approximately US$5 billion in 2023 to over US$11 billion by 2030.

Several nations reported ongoing integration of AI tools. Vietnam utilizes a virtual assistant trained on more than 1.3 million judgments, which has recorded over three million uses and reduced judicial workloads by up to 30 per cent. In the Philippines, an AI transcription pilot program achieved a 50-80 per cent reduction in time, with accuracy rates improving from 70-95 per cent. The Philippines also formally adopted a 'Human-Centered Augmented Intelligence Framework' in February, becoming the first ASEAN judiciary to implement UNESCO guidelines.

Japan and South Korea emphasized that AI should function as an assistive tool rather than a replacement for legal professionals. Waseda Law School’s Professor Kyoko Ishida noted that Japanese courts prioritize human oversight, with the Supreme Court cautious about using generative AI (AI capable of producing new content like text or images) to analyze evidence or draft judgments. Similarly, South Korea’s Supreme Court has implemented an AI-based judicial support platform that mandates human accountability for all system-generated outputs. Thai officials expressed significant concerns regarding potential bias in AI-generated outcomes and the lack of developer accountability for errors. As a result, the Civil Court of Thailand issued a regulation effective November 17, 2025, requiring legal parties to disclose AI-generated content in pleadings and certify its accuracy independently. UNDP representatives underscored that responsible adoption must prioritize human rights principles, including transparency and explainability, before scaling technological integration.

Legal experts, judges, and policymakers from across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region convened at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 22, 2026, to establish governance frameworks for responsible AI deployment in justice systems. Discussions centered on maintaining a human-in-the-loop (requiring human oversight for automated tasks) to ensure fairness, accountability, and the protection of human rights in court proceedings. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), regional investments in legal technology are projected to expand from approximately US$5 billion in 2023 to over US$11 billion by 2030.

Several nations reported ongoing integration of AI tools. Vietnam utilizes a virtual assistant trained on more than 1.3 million judgments, which has recorded over three million uses and reduced judicial workloads by up to 30 per cent. In the Philippines, an AI transcription pilot program achieved a 50-80 per cent reduction in time, with accuracy rates improving from 70-95 per cent. The Philippines also formally adopted a 'Human-Centered Augmented Intelligence Framework' in February, becoming the first ASEAN judiciary to implement UNESCO guidelines.

Japan and South Korea emphasized that AI should function as an assistive tool rather than a replacement for legal professionals. Waseda Law School’s Professor Kyoko Ishida noted that Japanese courts prioritize human oversight, with the Supreme Court cautious about using generative AI (AI capable of producing new content like text or images) to analyze evidence or draft judgments. Similarly, South Korea’s Supreme Court has implemented an AI-based judicial support platform that mandates human accountability for all system-generated outputs. Thai officials expressed significant concerns regarding potential bias in AI-generated outcomes and the lack of developer accountability for errors. As a result, the Civil Court of Thailand issued a regulation effective November 17, 2025, requiring legal parties to disclose AI-generated content in pleadings and certify its accuracy independently. UNDP representatives underscored that responsible adoption must prioritize human rights principles, including transparency and explainability, before scaling technological integration.