Sheriff Alastair Carmichael uses text-to-speech tech to continue hearing criminal cases
A Scottish sheriff has become what is believed to be the first judge in the world to conduct criminal proceedings using a computer-generated version of his own voice. Sheriff Alastair Carmichael, who serves at Dundee Sheriff Court, now relies on text-to-speech technology after motor neurone disease (MND) left him unable to speak.
The system enables the sheriff to deliver directions, rulings and courtroom instructions in real time. His digital voice was created while he could still speak, allowing him to continue in the role he has held throughout his working life. In an interview with STV’s Scotland Tonight, he described how a “slight lisp” in 2023 signalled the first signs of the illness. He said his “voice is now almost totally shot”, explaining that MND has affected his speech and swallowing, while his mobility remains largely unchanged.
To keep working, he collaborated with specialists at NHS Tayside and voice-banking experts at SpeakUnique to record extensive audio samples. Those recordings were then used to construct a personalised voice library. The sheriff now types everything he wishes to say, and the words are spoken aloud through four separate text-to-speech systems operating from the bench.
The technology has required regular refinement. At one stage, two stray American voices would intermittently interrupt court business. The Scottish Courts IT team has since developed a new system that defaults to a British voice named “George”, which the sheriff said makes him sound “cultured and sophisticated”. Despite the convenience of pre-loaded instructions, he avoids relying too heavily on automated phrasing, saying that overuse of stock lines could make proceedings feel “robotic and sterile”. He instead types most statements manually, adjusting spellings to ensure the voice software captures the correct phrasing and tone.
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The sheriff noted that mistakes sometimes occur. He recalled accidentally dismissing a witness mid-question after pressing an incorrect key, comparing it to the normal verbal slips that happen in day-to-day speech. He said such issues are quickly corrected, and the hearing continues.
Sheriff Principal Gillian Wade, who oversees the region, told Scotland Tonight that when the sheriff disclosed his diagnosis, she initially anticipated discussions about reduced duties or retirement. Instead, she said he has continued to work “as fully as possible”, taking time off only when required for medical appointments. She highlighted the determination he has shown to remain on the bench and to adapt to the demands of courtroom work.
Away from court, the sheriff continues to live an active life, including playing golf. He remains open about the uncertainties of motor neurone disease but prefers to focus on practical steps that allow him to work and communicate. He said that even where a natural voice is lost, “you can find other ways to communicate and to carry on working”.
He credits the enabling support of medical teams, court staff and family for making it possible to stay in post. While acknowledging the challenges posed by the condition, he expressed hope that others facing similar circumstances might draw confidence from his experience. “If others in similar situations take something positive from his approach, that would give me huge pleasure,” he said.
His use of personalised voice technology marks a rare example of a judge hearing criminal cases through digital speech systems. The sheriff continues to preside over trials and hearings with the aid of the tools developed specifically to support his work, demonstrating how adaptive technology can extend judicial service in demanding circumstances.