• UK High Court warns lawyers against citing non-existent AI-generated cases.
• Compromised legal integrity could lead to contempt of court and criminal charges.
• Judges call for improved oversight and regulations in AI usage within the legal profession.

Lawyers in the UK may face serious consequences, including contempt of court or criminal charges, for citing fake cases generated by artificial intelligence in their court proceedings. High Court Justice Victoria Sharp stated that the misuse of AI tools can have "serious implications for the administration of justice and public confidence in the justice system" following instances highlighted in recent cases, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

The court ruling came after concerns were raised by lower judges regarding the suspected use of generative AI tools to create unverified legal arguments. In one instance involving a $120-million lawsuit linked to the Qatar National Bank, a lawyer cited 18 non-existent cases. The judge noted that the reliance on false information disrupts the judicial process, as highlighted by Los Angeles Times and Reuters.

Sharp emphasized the urgent need for practical measures within the legal profession to safeguard against AI misuse, reiterating that mere guidance on AI use is inadequate. She warned that knowingly submitting false information could be deemed contempt or lead to the severe common law offense of perverting the course of justice, which could impose life sentences in extreme cases, according to Los Angeles Times, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

Judge Sharp also asserted that the increasing role of AI in law could be beneficial but must be balanced with rigorous oversight to prevent potential risks to justice. She underscored that the legal profession must adhere strictly to ethical standards when using such powerful technologies, echoing calls for a robust regulatory framework while addressing concerns about maintaining public confidence in judicial systems, according to Los Angeles Times and Reuters.