GB
GB | Incident Report Professional Malpractice
2025-12-04

UK High Court Reprimands Counsel for Fictitious AI Citations

AI Model: Unspecified generative AI tool HallucinationUK CourtsLegal Tech

I. Executive Summary

A barrister in a high-stakes commercial hearing was found to have included passages from non-existent cases generated by AI.

II. Key Facts

  • 18 of 45 citations were discovered to be fictitious. • Counsel admitted to using public AI tools for research. • Court initiated a "wasted costs" order against the firm.

III. Regulatory & Ethical Implications

Signals that the UK judiciary will use cost sanctions to deter unverified AI research.

IV. Media Coverage & Sources