AI use mustn’t weaken public trust in law – Guerin
The Bar of Ireland has selected Newcode as its AI provider, following what it stated was a “rigorous evaluation process”.
The firm’s legal Agentic AI platform will be a dedicated AI service for Irish barristers delivering intelligent, auditable and context-aware workflows.
The Bar Council stated that it will equip users with advanced AI capabilities while preserving governance, security and professional standards.
Professional standards
Chair Seán Guerin SC said: “The emergence of artificial intelligence is not simply a technical development — it has broader implications for the administration of justice and the public’s confidence in it.
“The work of barristers depends not only on professional standards, but on trust — trust in the way legal arguments are prepared, presented, and tested.
“As new technologies develop, it is important that the profession engages with them in a way that does not weaken that trust.”
Bar Council chief executive Shirley Coulter stated: “The approach taken by The Bar of Ireland has focused on putting the systems, structures, and supports in place so that members can engage with AI in a practical and reliable way.
“This includes not only training, but the creation of shared resources, communities of practice, and ongoing support mechanisms that allow members to develop their use of these tools as their needs evolve.”
Newcode recently announced 30 new roles in Ireland, including that of former MHC solicitor Donna O’Leary.
Donna O’Leary stated that comprehensive training and robust frameworks have been established to give full confidence in the platform’s integrity, security, and governance.