Legal Professor Mark Perry warns of AI‑generated fake case citations

Professor Mark Perry of the University of New England cautioned lawyers that artificial‑intelligence tools can fabricate legal cases, a problem he says has occurred in more than 500 instances worldwide and about 30 times in Australia. He urged practitioners to act as “pilots, not passengers,” using AI to speed research but always verifying the validity of any cited cases.

Perry highlighted risks of exposing confidential information to overseas‑hosted AI services and recommended that firms run locally hosted AI systems to keep data within the office. He also noted that reliance on AI could reshape junior lawyer roles, potentially reducing hiring while increasing demand for lawyers proficient in AI verification.