AI‑assisted filings surge in U.S. federal courts, a trend confirmed by Shah and Levy's analysis of millions of cases. Their study shows self‑represented cases climbed from 11 % to 17 % of civil litigation since AI tools gained traction, while the share of filings containing probable AI text jumped from near zero in 2022 to 18 % in 2026.

Despite fears that AI would erode lawyers’ workloads, the data reveal no rise in dismissals or delays for AI‑generated complaints. Instead, document volumes per case grew, hinting at court strain. Meanwhile, the number of lawyer‑represented cases stayed flat or rose slightly, suggesting the market for complex litigation remains intact.

In the U.K., employment tribunals face a different reality. Practitioners report AI‑enabled claims flooding the docket, often low quality and rich in legal jargon, stretching backlogs into 2028. Lawyers must sift through voluminous submissions, driving up costs for businesses and pushing the system toward a potential overload that could erode the promised access gains.

The data suggest AI expands access for straightforward cases without cannibalising high‑value legal work, but it also stresses court infrastructure. For investors, the trend signals growing demand for legal tech and litigation support services, while firms may need to invest in case‑management tools to handle the rising volume of AI‑generated filings.