If you hire a lawyer, you expect them to know the law. But a New Brunswick lawyer faces allegations of improperly using artificial intelligence to generate fake legal citations. The Law Society of New Brunswick confirms this is the first complaint of its kind in the province. According to a report by CBC News, the disciplinary committee is investigating Denis Sawyer following a brief he submitted to the provincial court on April 29.

Fake Citations in Court

The law society alleges Sawyer failed to use generative AI competently. His initial brief contained 12 citations. Ten of those were completely fictitious. When notified of the fake cases, Sawyer filed a second brief. This updated document removed most of the fabricated citations but left two behind. During the court hearing, opposing counsel requested action. Sawyer then disavowed both written briefs and asked the court to rely solely on his oral arguments. Sawyer works for Murphy’s Law, a firm based in Miramichi that serves clients across the province. He continues to practice law while the disciplinary process unfolds.

New Rules for New Technology

The Law Society of New Brunswick does not ban artificial intelligence. However, lawyers must still meet their professional standards. Joleen Dable serves as the registrar of complaints for the society. She notes that AI is becoming a common tool in legal services. “The use of AI is not prohibited,” Dable said. “However, lawyers remain responsible for complying with their professional obligations regardless of whether AI is used in the provision of legal services.” The society is paying close attention to this shift. A newly established task force is currently developing official guidance to help members use AI responsibly.

A Threat to the Justice System

This incident in New Brunswick highlights a growing national issue. Amy Salyzyn teaches legal ethics at the University of Ottawa. She points out an accelerating trend of lawyers facing complaints over AI use since 2023. The Canadian legal system relies heavily on past court decisions to resolve current disputes. Submitting fake cases threatens the foundation of this system. “When you have a machine interjecting things that are simply fictional creations, you don’t really have rule by law,” Salyzyn said. “You have rule by machine fabrications.” Salyzyn views this as a basic competence issue. When lawyers submit AI generated briefs without verifying the citations, they take dangerous shortcuts. “When that happens, that needs to be taken seriously,” she added.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the New Brunswick lawyer do wrong?

The Law Society of New Brunswick alleges Denis Sawyer used generative AI to write a legal brief and submitted it to the provincial court with 10 fake citations.

Are lawyers allowed to use AI in Canada?

Yes. The Law Society of New Brunswick does not prohibit AI use. However, lawyers must verify all information and maintain their professional obligations, including client confidentiality and accuracy.

What happens when a lawyer submits fake cases to court?

Submitting fake cases undermines the legal system, which relies on real past decisions to judge current cases. Lawyers who submit fabricated citations face disciplinary action from their provincial law society.

Is Denis Sawyer still practicing law?

Yes. Sawyer is allowed to continue practicing at his firm while the disciplinary committee hears the complaint.