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Practice Note: Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Adobe iconPractice Note: Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) PDF (149KB)

1. Purpose

The purpose of this practice note is to address the use of AI at the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal (Tribunal).

2. Defining AI

Defining AI is challenging because there is no single accepted definition. In using the term “AI” in this practice note, we mean any tool that uses machine learning, large language models (LLMs), natural language processing, or similar computational methods to assist in research, drafting or analysis.

An LLM is a type of artificial intelligence that processes and generates human-like text by analyzing large amounts of data.

3. Tribunal’s use of AI

Members will not use AI to make decisions

Parties are entitled to a decision made by a human. Tribunal members must make their decisions independently, based on the evidence, submissions and the law. Tribunal members hold the exclusive responsibility to make their decisions and will not ask AI or anyone else to make decisions for them, including to analyze evidence or to write their reasons.

Possible use of AI

AI may be used by the Tribunal to edit or translate decisions.

4. Parties’ use of AI

AI can be a helpful tool for parties, but it’s not perfect. If you rely on AI for research or to prepare documents for the Tribunal, you must do so carefully. Keep these key points in mind:

Be cautious

AI results can be wrong. If you use AI to find legal sources or analyze information, double-check the results carefully.

Use reliable sources

AI might give you incorrect or made-up legal sources. Always verify the information by going directly to trusted sources such as court websites, official publishers, or recognized legal databases like CanLii for case law.

Human responsibility

You are responsible for the accuracy of your written and oral submissions, even if AI helped prepare them. Always cross-check the information against reliable databases to ensure it is accurate and trustworthy. This protects the integrity of our justice system.

5. Approval

This practice note is approved by the Tribunal’s Chairperson on March 25, 2026.

Emily Crocco signature

Emily Crocco
Chairperson
Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal