Survey Finds 73% of Californians Unaware Courts Use AI to Help Draft Rulings

91% say judges should be required to disclose AI use in their cases

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:10pm

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D illustration of a futuristic, neon-lit courtroom, with a judge's bench, jury box, and witness stand all illuminated by pulsing cyan and magenta lights, conceptually representing the integration of AI technology into the judicial process.As AI-powered tools become more prevalent in the judicial system, concerns grow over transparency and fairness in the legal process.Irvine Today

A new survey conducted by Kolmogorov Law, P.C. found that the majority of California residents are not aware that California courts are using AI software to help judges summarize legal filings and draft tentative rulings. The survey also found that 91% of respondents said courts should be required to disclose to the parties when AI was used in preparing a ruling in their case.

Why it matters

As AI-assisted legal filing tools become more common, a growing number of cases may involve AI-generated filings being processed by AI-powered judicial preparation software. This development raises concerns about transparency, fairness, and public trust in the judicial system.

The details

California courts have begun using artificial intelligence to summarize legal filings and draft tentative rulings in civil cases. Los Angeles Superior Court — the largest trial court in the nation — launched a pilot program in March 2026 providing civil court judges with AI software that processes filings and produces draft tentative rulings. Similar programs are now operating in at least ten states. Over 60 percent of surveyed judges nationally report having used AI in their work.

  • California courts began using AI to draft tentative rulings in March 2026.
  • The Judicial Council of California adopted California Rules of Court, rule 10.430 on July 18, 2025, effective September 1, 2025.

The players

Judicial Council of California

The policymaking body of the California court system, which adopted the first statewide judicial AI framework in the nation.

Los Angeles Superior Court

The largest trial court in the nation, which launched a pilot program in March 2026 providing civil court judges with AI software to help draft tentative rulings.

Pavel Kolmogorov

The founder of Kolmogorov Law, P.C., a California litigation firm that conducted the survey on Californians' awareness of AI use in courts.

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What they’re saying

“When 91 percent of people say they want to know if AI touched their ruling, that is not a policy preference - it is a due process expectation.”

— Pavel Kolmogorov, Founder, Kolmogorov Law

What’s next

The Judicial Council of California may need to clarify the disclosure requirements in Rule 10.430 to address the use of AI in drafting tentative rulings, which may not meet the current 'entirely AI-produced' threshold.

The takeaway

The widespread use of AI in the judicial system, without clear disclosure requirements, raises concerns about transparency, fairness, and public trust. As AI-powered tools become more prevalent, policymakers will need to address these issues to ensure the integrity of the legal process.