Concept Summary  

The increasing integration of technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and social media into daily life is transforming justice systems worldwide. For judges and justice sector stakeholders, this digital evolution presents both significant challenges and unprecedented opportunities. While tech-driven innovations such as AI-assisted judicial tools and online courts offer the potential to improve the efficiency of justice delivery, they also raise concerns about judicial integrity, data security, and equitable access to justice. 

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This session will explore the multifaceted impact of digital advancements on the judicial sector, focusing on how new technologies can be leveraged to make justice systems more people-centered and accessible. Judges and justice system stakeholders must navigate an evolving digital landscape, ensuring that technology enhances rather than undermines the rule of law. Key questions include how to maintain judicial independence and fairness in the face of AI-driven decision-making, how social media influences public perceptions of justice, and how courts can harness technology to improve transparency and outreach. 

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The session will showcase best practices from various countries, including the presentation of a recent online court manual for Vietnam, and examples from the USA, China, and Japan.  

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Objectives 

• Understand the impact of digital technology on judicial decision-making: Explore how automation, AI, and digital platforms are influencing court procedures, with particular focus on lessons from Vietnam’s online court manual and best practices from the USA, China, and Japan. 

• Explore how technology can enhance people-centered justice: Discuss how digital tools and platforms can improve access to justice, increase transparency, and make court systems more inclusive and efficient for marginalized and vulnerable communities. 

• Identify challenges related to the use of AI and social media: Address the risks and ethical dilemmas posed by AI-driven decision-making tools, as well as the influence of social media on public perceptions of judicial rulings and judicial integrity. 

• Offer actionable strategies for courts and judges: Provide judges and justice sector stakeholders with practical guidance on integrating new technologies while maintaining fairness, impartiality, and people-centered principles in judicial processes. 

 

Questions 

• Digital Courts: 
  What lessons can be learned from the recent online court manual for Vietnam, and how can justice systems across Asia-Pacific increase the efficiency and accessibility of courts? 

• AI and Judicial Decision-Making: 
  How can AI and machine learning tools be integrated into the judicial decision-making process without compromising judicial independence, transparency, or fairness? 

• Impact of Social Media: 
  In what ways does social media influence public trust in the judiciary, and what steps can be taken to mitigate any negative impacts? 

• People-Centered Technology: 
  How can courts ensure that the introduction of new technologies serves the broader goal of making justice systems more inclusive, accessible, and people-centered? 

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Format/Methodology 

• Presentation (20 minutes): 
  Introduction and presentation of Vietnam's online court manual, focusing on the digital transformation of court procedures, followed by best practices from the USA, China, and Japan. 

• Panel Discussion (50 minutes): 
  A moderated discussion with 4-5 expert panelists, including judges, legal tech experts, and AI ethicists, who will address the challenges and opportunities posed by digital technologies in the judiciary. The panel will also explore practical steps to leverage technology for people-centered justice. 

• Q&A (20 minutes): 
  An interactive Q&A segment where participants can ask the panelists questions, engage in a dialogue on the future of tech in the judicial sector, and share insights on local or regional experiences. 

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Expected Outcome

• Enhanced understanding of digital justice tools: Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how emerging technologies can enhance judicial processes, promote efficiency, and improve access to justice. 

• Practical insights for courts and judges: Judges and justice sector stakeholders will learn about concrete strategies for navigating the ethical and procedural challenges posed by AI, social media, and other digital technologies. 

• Regional knowledge-sharing: The session will foster knowledge-sharing between justice systems in Asia-Pacific and other global examples, encouraging regional adoption of best practices. 

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About the People-Centered Justice Conference  

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangkok Regional Hub, the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), the United Nations Environment Programme  (UNEP) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and UN Women Asia and the Pacific, in collaboration with the World Justice Project, the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), and the Court of Justice of Thailand, will host the conference “Achieving Just Societies: Inclusive Justice Pathways for People and Planet in Asia and the Pacific” This event is scheduled to take place in Bangkok from November 11-13, 2024. 
 
The conference will serve as a dynamic platform for stakeholders to exchange insights, address challenges, and explore innovative, data-driven, and evidence-based approaches to enhancing equal and inclusive access to justice for all through people-centered methods, including in crisis-affected settings. In line with a human rights-based approach and the 'leave no one behind' principles, the event aims to foster partnerships and promote robust access to justice frameworks that better prioritize human rights, as well as the justice needs and emerging priorities of individuals and communities across the Asia and Pacific region. 

 
Ultimately, the conference aspires to reinforce a collective regional commitment to upholding the rule of law, ensuring equal and inclusive access to justice, and protecting human rights, all of which are foundational to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in Agenda 2030.