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NLJ this week: AI hallucinations land lawyers in hot water

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Lawyers remain fully accountable for AI-generated content in court documents, warn Masood Ahmed of the University of Leicester and Lal Akhter of Docket Live in this week's issue of NLJ

In Ayinde, the Divisional Court condemned the submission of pleadings citing non-existent cases, likely generated by tools like ChatGPT. The court stressed that AI is no excuse—lawyers must verify all references using authoritative sources.

The Civil Justice Council has now formed an AI working group to consider procedural reforms. Meanwhile, Birss LJ has called for personal accountability, suggesting future pleadings may require certification of AI-free content or verified use.

The authors urge lawyers to avoid blind reliance on AI, supervise junior staff, and document source trails. The message is clear: AI may assist, but it cannot replace professional judgment—and placing false material before the court, knowingly or not, could amount to contempt.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
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