With AI tools popping up everywhere — from legal research to chatbot advice — it’s no surprise some people are wondering if they even need a lawyer anymore. Maybe you’ve asked ChatGPT for help writing a submission, or found a website that promises to prepare your court documents for free. Maybe it sounds too good to be true.
It is.
AI is a tool — sometimes a helpful one. But when it comes to the courtroom, relying on it instead of real advocacy is risky, and often leads people to misjudge what they’re really facing.
Here’s what no AI can do — and why that matters if you’re heading to court.
- AI can’t read the courtroom
Courtrooms aren’t just about rules — they’re about people. Every magistrate, judge, and prosecutor is different. A good advocate doesn’t just know the law; they know how to read the room, adjust their approach in real time, and respond to the mood, tone, and dynamics of the moment.
AI can’t assess whether a magistrate is getting impatient, or whether a prosecutor has misunderstood a key fact. It can’t pivot when things go off-script — and they almost always do.
- AI doesn’t know you — and context is everything
Legal matters are deeply personal. Whether you’re contesting a restraining order, defending a charge, or navigating an employment dispute, your background, relationships, and emotional dynamics all matter.
AI can’t factor in your anxiety, your criminal history, your ex-partner’s tactics, or the fact that this job meant everything to you. It doesn’t know how your matter fits into the broader picture — and so it can’t give you advice that truly serves you.
- AI can’t speak for you
If you represent yourself, you still have to do the talking. AI might suggest what to say, but it won’t stand up for you when the magistrate asks a pointed question. It won’t object to improper cross-examination. It won’t step in if you’re being treated unfairly.
In court, advocacy is more than words — it’s timing, tone, authority, and experience. You can’t get that from a chatbot.
- AI can’t strategise under pressure
Court doesn’t always go to plan. Evidence might be excluded. A witness might not show. The other side might pull a legal manoeuvre you weren’t expecting. When that happens, you need to think quickly and make judgment calls on the spot.
That’s where experienced lawyers come in — especially in criminal law and restraining order proceedings, where outcomes can turn on split-second decisions. AI simply isn’t built for that kind of responsive strategy.
- AI can’t take responsibility — but you’ll still wear the outcome
If things go wrong, AI doesn’t answer to the court. You do. No chatbot will stand beside you when the magistrate gives their decision. And no AI will help you recover from a criminal record, a final restraining order, or a lost unfair dismissal claim.
At Fraser & Associates Lawyers, we’ve had many clients come to us after trying to handle things on their own — often with advice pulled from online tools or forums. Some waited too long to seek help. Others weren’t aware they were making mistakes until it was too late.
We’re not anti-technology. We use it in our practice where it helps us serve clients better. But we’re very clear about this: technology should assist your lawyer — not replace one.
If you’re facing a court matter, you don’t need AI — you need an advocate.
At Fraser & Associates, we work with people across Perth and regional WA dealing with criminal charges, restraining orders, and employment law disputes. Whether you’re unsure about your next step or just want to sense-check what you’ve been told online, we’re here to give you clarity — and back you all the way.
Let’s talk before you rely on tools that can’t stand up in court.
Call us for a confidential chat. We’re on your side.