In Berlin’s judicial system, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is seen as essential. The Justice Senator, Felor Badenberg, has stated that two AI projects are currently being tested. These projects serve as aids, while decisions remain the responsibility of judges. One such project, developed with Lower Saxony, is an AI-based research tool for asylum procedures, expected to be tested by 2025. This tool aims to compile all necessary information about the applicant’s country of origin, streamlining the decision-making process. Currently, courts manually gather this information, which is time-consuming. The new tool promises faster, up-to-date information, which is crucial given the limited personnel resources.
IT security is a cornerstone of modern administration and justice. Thus, the Justice Department will transition to the city’s IT service provider, ensuring compliance with security standards. The IT Service Center Berlin (ITDZ) manages the technical aspects of the judiciary, and preparations are underway for this transition.
Since Badenberg took office, digitization in the justice system has progressed significantly. She believes that Berlin’s courts will successfully transition to electronic records by early 2026. “We are ahead of some other federal states,” she noted. Innovative digital projects have been initiated beyond mandatory tasks.
The electronic record (E-file) has been implemented in civil proceedings at the Chamber Court, the District Court, and all but two local courts. Recently, the 100,000th E-file went online. The Administrative Court and the Higher Administrative Court of Berlin-Brandenburg announced in November that paper records are now obsolete. The transition at Berlin’s Social Court, the largest in Germany, was completed earlier.
Nationwide, all judicial records must be electronic by 2026. The transition is particularly challenging for criminal cases. A pilot project began at the prosecutor’s office in mid-December, with plans to expand to the General Prosecutor’s Office and the public prosecutor’s office in January. Criminal courts will follow. There are concerns within judicial circles that the January 1, 2026 deadline may not be met.
In Berlin, twelve courts with over 3,000 employees are set to transition by the national deadline. The transition is supported by approximately 41 million euros, with over 70% of the funds already utilized.