A registered foreign lawyer has become the first legal professional in the UK to be struck off following the misuse of artificial intelligence in disciplinary proceedings. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) ruled that Abhishek Kumar’s reliance on AI-generated legal submissions, containing fabricated case citations and misleading quotations, represented serious professional misconduct that undermined confidence in the administration of justice.

The decision marks the first occasion on which the SDT has considered the issue of AI hallucinations within legal proceedings, reinforcing that legal professionals remain personally responsible for the accuracy of all documents submitted to courts and regulators.

Criminal Conviction and Regulatory Investigation

Mr Kumar was referred to the SDT following his 2024 criminal conviction for knowingly employing an individual who was prohibited from working in the UK because of their immigration status. The individual, a former immigration client, was employed in an administrative role and paid cash in hand despite Mr Kumar’s knowledge that they had no lawful right to work.

He received a 12-month community order together with 150 hours of unpaid work. The tribunal concluded that his conduct breached fundamental professional obligations, finding that he had abused a position of trust and failed to uphold the rule of law.

AI-Generated Submissions Worsened the Misconduct

During the disciplinary proceedings, Mr Kumar submitted a written response prepared with the assistance of generative AI. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) identified multiple inaccurate legal authorities, fabricated citations and quotations that failed to support the legal arguments advanced.

After these errors were highlighted, Mr Kumar admitted using AI but then relied on the technology again when drafting his explanation to the regulator, resulting in further false material. Although he argued that he lacked the expertise to verify the AI’s output and had no intention to mislead, the tribunal rejected this defence.

The SDT found that regulated legal professionals must verify all authorities before relying upon them, regardless of whether AI tools are used during drafting.

A Clear Warning For the Legal Profession

The tribunal concluded that either the criminal conviction or the AI-related misconduct would, independently, have justified striking Mr Kumar from the register of foreign lawyers. The ruling serves as a significant reminder that artificial intelligence can assist legal practice but cannot replace professional judgement. Lawyers remain accountable for every submission they sign, and failure to verify AI-generated content may result in severe regulatory consequences, including removal from the profession.

The Most Common Uses of AI in Law

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the legal profession, enabling law firms and legal departments to work more efficiently while reducing the time spent on repetitive administrative tasks. Rather than replacing legal professionals, AI is increasingly being used to support legal decision-making, improve productivity, and enhance the quality of legal services.

Legal Research Made Faster

Legal research is one of the most established applications of AI within the legal sector. Modern AI platforms can analyse thousands of cases, statutes and legal precedents in a matter of seconds, allowing solicitors to locate relevant authorities far more efficiently than through traditional research methods.

Generative AI tools can also summarise complex legal materials, refine search queries and produce structured case summaries, helping legal professionals focus on analysis rather than data collection.

Improving Contract Review and Drafting

AI has become an invaluable tool for reviewing contracts and legal documentation. Intelligent software can identify unusual clauses, missing provisions, inconsistencies and potential legal risks across large volumes of agreements, significantly reducing review times.

Many firms also use AI-powered document automation to prepare standard contracts, correspondence and legal forms using approved templates. While these systems improve efficiency, all legal documents should continue to be reviewed by a qualified legal professional before being relied upon.

Supporting Litigation and Compliance

Artificial intelligence also plays an important role in electronic disclosure (e-discovery), where vast quantities of emails, documents and digital records must be reviewed during litigation. AI can rapidly identify relevant information, helping legal teams manage disclosure obligations more effectively.

Beyond litigation, AI assists firms with regulatory compliance by supporting routine processes such as anti-money laundering checks, risk monitoring and tracking changes in legislation.

Predictive Legal Analysis

Some AI platforms analyse historical court decisions, judicial trends and previous case outcomes to provide predictive insights. These tools may assist solicitors when evaluating litigation strategy or considering whether settlement may be preferable to continuing proceedings. However, AI predictions are not guarantees and should never replace professional legal judgement.

The Future of AI in Law

As AI technology continues to evolve, its role within the legal profession is expected to expand. Used responsibly, AI offers significant advantages in efficiency, consistency and productivity. Nevertheless, legal professionals remain responsible for ensuring accuracy, maintaining client confidentiality and exercising independent legal judgement. AI should therefore be regarded as a powerful assistant rather than a substitute for qualified legal expertise.