The world is now dominated by artificial intelligence. Tell me 20 years ago that we’d be living in a world where a computer can write articles, prepare documents, and draft letters – doing the jobs once handled by secretarial or administrative support – and I’d have probably looked at you strangely. But here we are. It’s real, my friends.
Now comes the tricky bit. We’ve seen countless letters prepared using AI. They often look and sound impressive, at first glance. But dig a little deeper, and glaring errors emerge: unchecked text, inaccuracies, and the odd appearance of American case law that has no relevance here. Call it a glitch, if you will.
This issue isn’t confined to correspondence. It’s creeping into the courts. One recent incident saw a barrister submit fabricated case law, generated by AI, which led senior courts to consider imposing sanctions. More seriously, the High Court in England and Wales is now examining whether legal professionals who rely on AI-generated but non-existent case citations should face contempt of court proceedings.
This is serious business. It should serve as a stark warning: AI is a tool, not a replacement for your trusted lawyer. It cannot substitute the human element of judgement, accuracy, and personal interaction.
The judiciary has issued guidance on the use of AI, but clearly, the courts are prepared to go further.
AI is your friend, and I believe it should be used as such. It’s a powerful resource that can offer incredible support when used wisely. But like all tools, it must be respected and handled with care. You wouldn’t see a carpenter carelessly tossing around his hammer; he takes care of his tools. It’s the same here.
Respect the tools you’re given, but never place sole reliance on them, it could prove to be your downfall.
If your team is using AI in document creation or correspondence and you’re unsure about legal accuracy or risks, our legal experts are here to help. Call our helpline or use our casework service for reassurance and review.
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