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NLJ this week: Fake it till you make it

06 June 2025
Issue: 8119 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Artificial intelligence , Costs , Procedure & practice
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In this week’s NLJ, Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School, AKA The Insider, tackles the ‘infamous judicial review in which no less than five fake authorities were cited’

The chief suspect is artificial intelligence (AI). AI aside, Regan notes a general propensity for excessive wordage. He writes: ‘Too many advocates cannot resist the temptation to chuck in citations.’

He also recalls the tale of—pre-AI—a lawyer whose invented judgment—like faked Masters that hang in galleries for years—was so good that it impressed a judge. Regan also covers a recent case on costs and the upcoming agenda at the Rule Committee. 

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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