UAE · Policy · AI
UAE Ministry of Justice unveils Agentic AI to cut pre-trial review to two hours
UAE introduces agentic AI to cut pre-trial review from 18 days to 2 hours
UAE introduces agentic AI to cut pre-trial review from 18 days to 2 hours
On September 27, 2026 the UAE Ministry of Justice unveiled an agentic artificial intelligence system intended to reduce pre-trial case review time from around 18 days to approximately two hours.
The announcement signals a major operational shift in the justice system. By automating routine review tasks the technology aims to speed case triage, reduce backlogs and accelerate movement of matters toward hearings or settlement.
If the projected time savings are achieved at scale the change could reshape legal workflows in public institutions and courts, freeing staff to focus on complex legal judgments and case management.
At the same time the rollout raises important questions about rights protections, transparency and accountability. Faster automated review must be balanced with human oversight, clear audit trails and safeguards to prevent errors or bias that could affect people’s legal outcomes.
Legal professionals, civil society and regulators are likely to examine how the system is trained, what data it uses, and how its recommendations are validated. The move may also prompt other jurisdictions to consider similar tools while intensifying debates about AI governance in public services.
Faster reviews can improve access to justice by shortening waits for resolution and reducing costs for litigants and the court system. Quicker triage could allow weaker cases to be identified earlier and stronger cases to proceed without delay, but those benefits hinge on accuracy and sustained human involvement.
To manage risks authorities will need transparent evaluation, regular audits, independent oversight and clear appeal mechanisms to address errors. The announcement is likely to intensify discussions on how to balance efficiency gains with protections for due process, data privacy and non-discrimination as public institutions adopt more advanced AI tools.
Pre-trial review time targeted to fall from 18 days to 2 hours.
Potential to reduce case backlogs and speed proceedings.
Raises concerns about due process, accuracy and data use.
Will attract regulatory and public scrutiny on transparency and oversight.
Could spur broader adoption of AI in judicial and public institutions.
Readers should watch for official implementation details and safeguards as the system is deployed. For the original report see Gulf News: Follow Ministry updates and coverage to assess how safeguards are enforced.
As organisations navigate AI change, Nuvostella helps teams put practical AI systems to work — from generative tools and agents to automation built for real business processes.
Resources & links
Build with Nuvostella
Explore Generative Studio or talk with us about voice AI, agents, and automation for your business.