Lawyers could face ‘severe’ penalties for fake AI-generated citations, UK court warns | TechCrunch
Jun 07, 2025 - techcrunch.com
The High Court of England and Wales has emphasized the need for lawyers to take stronger measures to prevent the misuse of artificial intelligence in legal work. In a ruling by Judge Victoria Sharp, it was highlighted that generative AI tools like ChatGPT are not reliable for conducting legal research, as they can produce seemingly coherent but incorrect responses. Lawyers are advised to verify AI-generated research against authoritative sources before using it professionally. The ruling comes in light of cases where lawyers have cited AI-generated falsehoods, indicating a need for stricter adherence to professional guidelines.
In two specific cases, lawyers submitted court filings with numerous citations that were either non-existent or irrelevant. Although the court chose not to initiate contempt proceedings, Judge Sharp warned that non-compliance with professional obligations could lead to severe sanctions. The ruling will be forwarded to professional bodies such as the Bar Council and the Law Society to ensure compliance. Judge Sharp also noted that the court's powers in such situations range from public admonition to referral to the police.
Key takeaways:
The High Court of England and Wales emphasizes the need for lawyers to prevent misuse of AI in legal work.
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are deemed unreliable for conducting legal research.
Lawyers have a duty to verify AI-generated research against authoritative sources before using it professionally.
Failure to meet professional obligations regarding AI use can lead to severe sanctions, including public admonition and referral to regulators.
