AI Hallucination Cases

This database tracks legal decisions1 I.e., all documents where the use of AI, whether established or merely alleged, is addressed in more than a passing reference by the court or tribunal.

Notably, this does not cover mere allegations of hallucinations, but only cases where the court or tribunal has explicitly found (or implied) that a party relied on hallucinated content or material.

As an exception, the database also covers some judicial decisions where AI use was alleged but not confirmed. This is a judgment call on my part.
in cases where generative AI produced hallucinated content – typically fake citations, but also other types of AI-generated arguments. It does not track the (necessarily wider) universe of all fake citations or use of AI in court filings.

While seeking to be exhaustive (1150 cases identified so far), it is a work in progress and will expand as new examples emerge. This database has been featured in news media, and indeed in several decisions dealing with hallucinated material.2 Examples of media coverage include:
- M. Hiltzik, AI 'hallucinations' are a growing problem for the legal profession (LA Times, 22 May 2025)
- E. Volokh, "AI Hallucination Cases," from Courts All Over the World (Volokh Conspiracy, 18 May 2025)
- J-.M. Manach, "Il génère des plaidoiries par IA, et en recense 160 ayant « halluciné » depuis 2023" (Next, 1 July 2025) - J. Koebler & J. Roscoe, "18 Lawyers Caught Using AI Explain Why They Did It (404 Media, 30 September 2025)

If you have any questions about the database, a FAQ is available here.
And if you know of a case that should be included, feel free to contact me.3 (Readers may also be interested in this project regarding AI use in academic papers.)

Based on this database, I have developped an automated reference checker that also detects hallucinations: PelAIkan. Check the Reports Report icon in the database for examples, and reach out to me for a demo !

For weekly takes on cases like these, and what they mean for legal practice, subscribe to Artificial Authority.

State
Party
Nature – Category
Nature – Subcategory

Case Court / Jurisdiction Date ▼ Party Using AI AI Tool Nature of Hallucination Outcome / Sanction Monetary Penalty Details Report(s)
Abdul Rahim Seidu v Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Federal Court (Canada) (Canada) 10 February 2026 Lawyer Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Doctrinal Work (1)
Admonishment
Garrick v Halton Police Board SCJ Ontario (Canada) 10 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Matter of Zareh SC New York (USA) 10 February 2026 Lawyer ChatGPT
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Respondent publicly censured

Respondent filed an opposition brief in federal litigation containing numerous citation errors and misstatements of law. The District Court found the brief AI-generated, noting ChatGPT described at least one cited case in the same erroneous manner, and admonished counsel; this Court imposed reciprocal discipline in the form of a public censure for failure to supervise and for filing an unreviewed AI-drafted brief.

N. 4203/2025 R.G. TO Verona (Italy) 10 February 2026 Lawyer Implied
Fabricated Exhibits or Submissions (1)
Monetary Sanction 1800 EUR
Valve Corporation v. Rothschild et al. W.D. Washington (USA) 9 February 2026 Lawyer Implied
Fabricated Case Law (3)
False Quotes Case Law (6)
Misrepresented Case Law (2)
Outdated Advice Overturned Case Law (1)
Order to show cause
Report
Defendant's Daubert Motion

When warned about the issue, cousel apologised in an open letter to the Court.

Later on, the Court issued a Show Cause Order (see here).

Peter L. Clinco v. Commissioner US Tax Court (USA) 9 February 2026 Lawyer Implied
Fabricated Case Law (2)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Admonishment
Nichole R. Palsen v. Webb Chevrolet, Inc., et al. CA Illinois (USA) 9 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (5)
False Quotes Case Law (5)
Order to show cause
Kusmin L. Amarsingh v. Frontier Airlines, Inc. CA Tenth Circuit (USA) 9 February 2026 Lawyer ChatGPT
Fabricated Case Law (2)
False Quotes Case Law (3)
Monetary Sanction; Bar Referral 1000 USD
Source: David Timm
Daniel James Cummins v. Moises Becerra E.D. California (USA) 9 February 2026 Lawyer Implied
Fabricated Case Law (5)
Order to Show Cause
Bettis v. Gaston N.D. Illinois (USA) 9 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Warning
Source: Jesse Schaefer
Nelson L. Bruce v. The United States D. South Carolina (USA) 9 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Legal Norm (1)
Warning
Ave. Capital Group, LLC v. Strum SC New York (USA) 9 February 2026 Lawyer Implied
Fabricated Case Law (2)
Order to Show Cause
Jorgensen v JML Rose Pty Ltd (Security for Costs) Federal Court of Australia (Australia) 9 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Order for security for costs
State v. Garrett CC Wisconsin (USA) 6 February 2026 Prosecutor Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Case dismissed without prejudice

From the docket record: "Court sanctions DA Solis by striking the State's Response for failure to disclose AI, using hallucinated and false citations and for admitting failure to disclose AI. Court grants Motion to Dismiss for defective bind-over, in its entirety, without prejudice. "

David Angel Sifuentes, III v. Capital One CA, Tenth Circuit (USA) 6 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Mutugu v. Kiaraho CA Indiana (USA) 6 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (2)
Misrepresented Case Law (1), Exhibits or Submissions (1)
Nonnie Berg v. United Airlines, Inc. (3) D. Colorado (USA) 6 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Unidentified
Fabricated Case Law (2)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Filing restriction
Source: Jesse Schaefer
Ravi Kadiyala v. Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing et al. N.D. Illinois (USA) 6 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Warning
Raul Gonzales Davila v. Roblen United States District Court, D. Connecticut (USA) 6 February 2026 Lawyer Unidentified
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
CLE
Arkansas DHS v. April Ward and Minor Child Respondents SC Arkansas (USA) 5 February 2026 Lawyer Copilot
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Outdated Advice Repealed Law (1)
Report to Office of Professional Conduct and Counsel dismissal

Order to Show Cause is here.

Source: Robert Freund
Woodward Harbor L.L.C., et al. v. City of Mandeville E.D. Louisiana (USA) 5 February 2026 Lawyer Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Monetary Sanction; CLE 1000 USD

Show Cause Order is here.

Flycatcher v. Affable Avenue S.D. New York (USA) 5 February 2026 Lawyer NotebookLM; vLex; Paxton AI
Fabricated Case Law (2)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Brief Struck; Default Judgment
Report
Memorandum of Law

Counsel Steven A. Feldman repeatedly filed submissions containing AI-generated nonexistent case citations and misattributed quotations. Opposing counsel flagged numerous errors; the Court found fabricated citations and false quotes, concluded counsel acted in bad faith or with conscious avoidance, struck the filings, and entered default judgment against counsel's client Affable Avenue LLC. The Court permitted opposing counsel to apply for attorneys' fees.

In re: Snowflake, Inc., Data Security Breach Litigation J.P.M.L. (USA) 5 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (2)
False Quotes Case Law (5)
Warning
Zeng v. Zuo Supreme Court of British Columbia (Canada) 5 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied Warning
Source: Courtready ⚠ Alleged AI Use
Applicant v. BC College of Physicians and Surgeons HPRB (Canada) 5 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (2)
Application by Pennisi Fair Work Commission (Australia) 5 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Mitchell Taylor Button & Dusty Button v. Sigrid McCawley S.D. Florida (USA) 4 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (4)
False Quotes Case Law (3)
Misrepresented Exhibits or Submissions (1)
Show Cause Order; Order to certify review of citations
Offen Petroleum v. L&J Express D. Arizona (USA) 4 February 2026 Lawyer Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Warning
In re the Matter of: Abius Rosas Carreon CA Arizona (USA) 4 February 2026 Lawyer Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Warning
Ericka Holmes v. The University of Texas at Austin W.D. Texas (USA) 4 February 2026 Lawyer Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (2), Exhibits or Submissions (1)
Show Cause Order
Sebastian Rako v. VMware LLC (2) N.D. California (USA) 4 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Required meet-and-confer for AI-use disputes
Sophia Madigan v. Graco Inc. D. Minnesota (USA) 4 February 2026 Lawyer Unidentified
Fabricated Case Law (2)
Warning
Joann LeDoux v. Outliers, Inc. W.D. Washington (USA) 4 February 2026 Lawyer Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1), Doctrinal Work (1), Legal Norm (1)
False Quotes Case Law (4), Exhibits or Submissions (1)
Order to Show Cause
RSR Road Surface Recycling v Bonnechere Excavating et al. Ontario SCJ (Canada) 4 February 2026 Lawyer Unidentified
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Misuse of AI potentially factored into costs
Kizzie Sims & Estate of Gregory Neil Davis v. Board of County Commissioners W.D. Oklahoma (USA) 3 February 2026 Lawyer Unidentified
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Azad Alamgir Kabir v. WebMD D. New Jersey (USA) 3 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Struck filings; warning
1S REO Opportunity 1, LLC v. 223 Howard LLC E.D. New York (USA) 3 February 2026 Lawyer Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Source: Jesse Schaefer
Pasuengos v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (No 2) Federal Circuit and Family Court (Australia) 3 February 2026 Lawyer Unidentified
Fabricated Case Law (3)
Bar Referral
Lexos Media IP, LLC v. Overstock.com, Inc. D. Kansas (USA) 2 February 2026 Lawyer ChatGPT
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Case Law (6)
Misrepresented Case Law (2)
Brief struck, monetary sanction, firm compliance 12000 USD

Order to show cause was here. Defendant later obtained summary judgment, in part because plaintiff failed to cite any legal authority (once the hallucinated material was stricken).

Source: Robert Freund
Emmanuel S. Yirenkyi v. Angela Hoover M.D. Pennsylvania (USA) 2 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Unidentified
Fabricated Case Law (2)
Source: Jesse Schaefer
Ortiz Fatima Cecilia v. Booking.com y otros JCC de Tucumán (Argentina) 2 February 2026 Lawyer Implied
Fabricated Case Law (6)
Monetary sanction, bar referral, adverse costs order 620000 ARS
Broadwater Tower Queensland BCCMC (Australia) 2 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Legal Norm (3)
Warning
Yang v. University of Minnesota CA Minnesota (USA) 2 February 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Source: Jesse Schaefer
Stephen Schaaf v. Nellis Auction Holdings, LLC, et al. D. Nevada (USA) 30 January 2026 Lawyer Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Admonishment
Theoda E. Mills, Jr. v. City of St. Louis, et al. E.D. Missouri (USA) 30 January 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
False Quotes Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Exhibits or Submissions (1)
Case dismissed with prejudice as a Rule 11 sanction

Show Cause Order is here.

Source: Jesse Schaefer
Wilcox v. Gingrinch CA Indiana (USA) 30 January 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (4)
Misrepresented Case Law (4)
SEC v. Joseph Nantomah et al. E.D. Wisconsin (USA) 30 January 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (2)
Misrepresented Case Law (3)
Brief Struck
PSAHSC v. Tchampet High Court (UK) 30 January 2026 Lawyer Microsoft Co-Pilot
False Quotes Case Law (2)
Misrepresented Case Law (1)
Warning
Mme Y TA Rennes (France) 30 January 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Health Care Complaints Commission v Campbell NSW CAT (Australia) 30 January 2026 Pro Se Litigant Implied
Fabricated Case Law (1)
Misrepresented Case Law (2)
Outdated Advice Repealed Law (1)