AI in court cases and court cases about AI: eight legal tech stories that you might have missed

1. Stop referencing fake case citations, judges warned

Law Society Gazette

Some lawyers are asking judges to avoid reciting the full names of fake AI-generated cases when highlighting their inaccuracies – the Law Society Gazette shares why.

The concern is that quoting incorrect citations could indirectly worsen the issue by documenting false information in legal reports.

2. Going native at law’s next frontier

Law Society Gazette

New firms are emerging which build their operations around AI from the start, rather than adding it later.

The Law Society Gazette explains how a legal culture that prioritises client “outcomes as a service” could emerge, as these firms use their own AI technology to carry out legal tasks quickly, with lawyers checking the final work.

3. Linklaters launches 20-lawyer AI squad to push tech deeper into client work

Non-Billable

A team of ‘AI lawyers’ – people who offer expertise in both law and AI – has been launched by Linklaters.

The 20 recruits include external hires from various backgrounds and Linklaters lawyers who chose to take on specialist AI training. Their aim is to “reduce friction as much as possible” for client-facing lawyers and clients.

4. Publishers versus AI: all the copyright legal rulings so far

PressGazette

Around the world, legal disputes are emerging between media outlets and AI companies.

Publishers argue that AI companies are unlawfully taking their content and using it to train their software, according to PressGazette.

Judgments have varied between favouring publishers and AI companies, helping to give a broad sense of which practices are and are not being deemed lawful.

5. King’s launches world-first AI literacy programme for law students and staff

King’s College London

King’s College London unveils an ‘AI literacy programme’ for all students and staff at the Dickson Poon School of Law, as their executive dean says AI “is no longer optional for the next generation of lawyers”.

The programme includes access to legal AI tools, a 12-week online course, and weekly workshops.

6. Law Society asks government to clarify rules regarding use of AI in legal sector

Today’s Conveyancer

We have called for government cooperation and support in maintaining the legal sector’s professional standards as firms continue to adopt AI at rapid rates.

Our CEO explains that innovation is “vital” for the legal sector, and while existing legal regulation can facilitate progress and challenges like “uncertainty, cost, data and skills associated with AI adoption” need to be addressed to protect clients.

7. Mother’s use of AI ‘entirely understandable’, Court of Appeal finds

Law Society Gazette

The Court of Appeal sympathised with a mother representing herself in a family case who used AI, leading to false legal citations.

The mother was absolved of any intention to mislead the court, but a reminder was given to all parties that citations must be “genuine and provide authority for the proposition advanced”.

8. How to identify AI-generated videos online

BBC

All leading AI video generators add watermarks to their finished outputs so viewers can see they’re not real, the BBC explains.

But some creators are trying to hide the watermarks by blurring the logos, covering them with enlarged emojis, among other methods.

In a video demonstration, the BBC offers a few tips to help you spot fake content.