AI, Justice, and the Rule of Law 

Strengthening the rule of law in the age of artificial intelligence 


This global course, designed for judicial operators, was conceived by UNESCO and created in partnership with the Saïd Business School, the Blavatnik School of Government and the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford.

Start Date: The course opens on Monday 27th April. You can enrol now and receive log-in details on the start date.

Duration: Approximately 12 guided learning hours, plus optional resources
Format: Online, self-paced
Cost: free of charge for participants – Fully funded by UNESCO with the support of the European Union
Languages: English available to enrol now. French and Spanish coming soon (June 2026)
Certification: Participants receive an official University of Oxford digital Certificate of Completion from Saïd Business School, issued in partnership with UNESCO, Blavatnik School of Government and the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford

Who is this course for?

The course is primarily designed for judicial operators and legal professionals, which includes:

  • Judges, magistrates and judicial officers
  • Prosecutors and public defenders
  • Court administrators and leaders responsible for judicial reform
  • Court staff
  • Lawyers, solicitors and legal practitioners in civil or criminal law
  • Policymakers working on court modernisation or justice governance
  • Civil servants involved in the digitalisation of courts or legal services
  • Legal advisers, regulatory professionals and compliance specialists
  • Legal academics, researchers, law students and early-career legal professionals

The course will also be relevant to those working closely alongside courts in roles that shape adjudication, evidence, procedural fairness and access to justice.

No technical background is required. The course is designed to equip participants with the conceptual understanding and practical tools needed to evaluate and oversee AI systems used within courts and adjudicative processes.

Why this course matters

As courts modernise procedures and information systems, AI tools are increasingly introduced to support judicial work, case management, evidence analysis and access to legal information. These technologies can strengthen efficiency, consistency and access to justice. Yet they also raise fundamental questions about fairness, due process, transparency, explainability, and accountability.  

The course will address the following questions, and many more:

  • How should judges assess algorithmic outputs presented in court?
  • What safeguards are needed to prevent bias or over-reliance on automated systems?
  • How can courts adopt innovation while preserving independence and public trust?

Developed in partnership with UNESCO, this course provides a human rights-based framework for understanding AI’s impact on justice systems and safeguarding the rule of law.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact us at: moocqueries@sbs.ox.ac.uk 

To view the description, dates and times offered, and additional information about a programme, click the programme name below.

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0022 AI, Justice, and the Rule of Law

  • Open Executive Education

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