The Supreme Court of India has taken serious note of a trial court order that relied on fabricated, AI-generated case laws, describing the act as judicial misconduct.
The issue came to light when it was discovered that certain precedents cited in a trial court’s judgment did not exist in official legal records. Upon examination, it appeared that the so-called judgments were generated through artificial intelligence tools and were mistakenly treated as authentic authorities.
Expressing concern, the Supreme Court observed that citing non-existent decisions undermines the credibility of the judicial process and erodes public confidence in the administration of justice. The Bench emphasised that judges are duty-bound to independently verify legal authorities before placing reliance on them in court orders.
The Court underscored that while technology, including AI, may assist legal research, it cannot substitute careful judicial scrutiny. Any use of such tools must be accompanied by rigorous verification to ensure accuracy. Failure to do so, the Court indicated, amounts to serious professional lapse.
Taking note of the gravity of the situation, the Supreme Court directed that appropriate action be considered, reiterating that judicial discipline and adherence to authentic legal sources are fundamental to maintaining the integrity of the justice system.