Lawyer apologizes for AI-generated errors in Australian murder case
Share this @internewscast.com

The blunder in the Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia is another in a litany of mishaps AI has caused in justice systems around the world.

MELBOURNE, VIC — An apology was issued by a prominent Australian lawyer to a judge after inadmissible submissions were filed in a murder trial, containing fabricated quotes and invented case judgments produced by artificial intelligence.

The blunder in the Supreme Court of Victoria state is another in a litany of mishaps AI has caused in justice systems around the world.

Rishi Nathwani, a highly respected King’s Counsel in the defense, accepted complete responsibility for submitting erroneous information in the case of a teenager accused of murder, as noted in court records reviewed by The Associated Press on Friday.

“We are deeply sorry and embarrassed for what occurred,” Nathwani told Justice James Elliott on Wednesday, on behalf of the defense team.

The inaccuracies brought about by the AI led to a 24-hour postponement in reaching a resolution in the case Elliott aimed to finalize on Wednesday. On Thursday, Elliott determined that Nathwani’s client, whose identity is protected due to their age, was not guilty of murder by reason of mental incapacity.

“At the risk of understatement, the manner in which these events have unfolded is unsatisfactory,” Elliott told lawyers on Thursday.

“The court’s trust in the accuracy of counsel submissions is crucial for the proper functioning of justice,” Elliott emphasized.

The erroneous submissions included invented quotes from a supposed legislative speech and nonexistent case references allegedly from the Supreme Court.

The errors were discovered by Elliott’s associates, who couldn’t find the cases and requested that defense lawyers provide copies.

The lawyers admitted the citations “do not exist” and that the submission contained “fictitious quotes,” court documents say.

The lawyers explained they checked that the initial citations were accurate and wrongly assumed the others would also be correct.

The submissions were also sent to prosecutor Daniel Porceddu, who didn’t check their accuracy.

The judge noted that the Supreme Court released guidelines last year for how lawyers use AI.

“It is not acceptable for artificial intelligence to be used unless the product of that use is independently and thoroughly verified,” Elliott said.

The court documents do not identify the generative artificial intelligence system used by the lawyers.

Similarly, in the United States in 2023, a federal judge levied $5,000 penalties against two lawyers and their law firm when ChatGPT was identified as the source of fictitious legal documentation in an aviation injury lawsuit.

Judge P. Kevin Castel said they acted in bad faith. But he credited their apologies and remedial steps taken in explaining why harsher sanctions were not necessary to ensure they or others won’t again let artificial intelligence tools prompt them to produce fake legal history in their arguments.

Later that year, more fictitious court rulings invented by AI were cited in legal papers filed by lawyers for Michael Cohen, a former personal lawyer for U.S. President Donald Trump. Cohen took the blame, saying he didn’t realize that the Google tool he was using for legal research was also capable of so-called AI hallucinations.

British High Court Justice Victoria Sharp warned in June that providing false material as if it were genuine could be considered contempt of court or, in the “most egregious cases,” perverting the course of justice, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
University drops job posting after DEI requirement exposed, professor says ‘I would not be hired’ today

University Withdraws Job Listing Amid DEI Controversy: Professor Reveals Why He Wouldn’t Be Hired Today

This article is part of Fox News Digital’s investigative series Campus Radicals.…
Nearly 80K sauna blankets recalled after dozens of burn injuries reported

Urgent Recall Alert: Over 80,000 Sauna Blankets Recalled Due to Burn Injury Risks

In an important safety notice, Lifepro Fitness has announced the recall of…
Russia Claims to Have New 'Invincible' Missile - Is It, Though?

Russia Unveils ‘Invincible’ Missile: A Closer Look at the Bold Claim

Russia has once again unveiled what it describes as a “doomsday weapon,”…
Former Vice President Kamala Harris leaves door open for 2028 presidential run, according to new BBC interview

In a recent BBC interview, Former Vice President Kamala Harris hints at potential 2028 presidential bid.

WASHINGTON — Kamala Harris is keeping her options open for another potential…

New York Giants’ Cam Skattebo Leaves Game Due to Ankle Injury

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In a devastating turn of events for the New…
Lewis Hamilton mourns beloved dog ahead of Mexico's Day of the Dead

Lewis Hamilton Honors Late Dog During Mexico’s Day of the Dead Remembrance

MEXICO CITY, Oct 23 – Lewis Hamilton has shared how the recent…
Eric Swalwell Says Candidates Must Pledge to Demolish Trump Ballroom

Eric Swalwell Urges 2024 Candidates to Vow: Tear Down Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Ballroom

Representative Eric Swalwell from California has recently become the latest figure to…
GOP Nom Ciattarelli Heats Up With an Live On-Air Assist From Trump--and Famous Native NJ Voice Cuts Ad

Trump Lends a Hand: Ciattarelli Gains Momentum with Support from NJ Celebrity Voice

Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli is making headway in New Jersey’s election…
Rubio, Huckabee meet with families of US citizens whose remains are being held hostage in Gaza

Rubio and Huckabee Engage with Families of Americans Held in Gaza

In a significant diplomatic effort, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside U.S.…
Man fleeing immigration agents is fatally struck by a vehicle on a Virginia highway

Tragic Incident: Man Fatally Struck While Fleeing Immigration Agents on Virginia Highway

A tragic incident unfolded in Virginia when a 24-year-old man from Honduras…
Can AI keep students motivated, or does it do the opposite?

Unlocking Student Potential: How AI Transforms Motivation in the Classroom

Imagine a student employing a writing assistant fueled by a generative AI…
Amy Bradley disappearance sees 3 major new leads as investigators renew decades-old search: report

Fresh Leads Emerge in Amy Bradley Case as Investigators Revive Search Efforts Decades Later

Nearly 27 years since an American college graduate mysteriously disappeared during her…