The Supreme Court of India has cautioned against the growing misuse of artificial intelligence in legal practice, highlighting an alarming trend of fabricated judgments being cited in courts. The court noted that the issue is not confined to India but is increasingly surfacing across jurisdictions worldwide.
The remarks came from a bench comprising Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Vijay Bishnoi, who expressed concern over the reliance on AI-generated content without proper verification.
The bench observed that citing non-existent case law regardless of whether it is generated by AI undermines the credibility of judicial proceedings and hampers the administration of justice. It pointed out that such instances are becoming more frequent, reflecting a broader global challenge linked to the unchecked use of emerging technologies.
Stressing professional responsibility, the court made it clear that advocates must verify the authenticity of every citation before presenting it. Dependence on AI tools, the bench said, does not absolve lawyers of their duty to ensure accuracy and reliability in their submissions.
While acknowledging that technology can assist legal research, the court underlined that it cannot replace human diligence. Any lapse in verifying legal authorities may invite serious consequences.
The observations add to the judiciary’s growing concern over the ethical use of AI, reinforcing the need for caution, accountability, and strict adherence to standards that uphold the integrity of the legal system.