Kerala HC Flags AI-Drafted Petitions, Questions Lawyers’ Preparedness

The Kerala High Court has raised serious concerns over an increasing number of petitions that appear to be drafted using artificial intelligence tools, observing that advocates are often unable to respond adequately when judges seek clarifications during hearings.

A Division Bench made the observation while dealing with matters related to financial cyber fraud, noting that several petitions placed before the court seemed mechanically drafted and lacked depth. The judges remarked that when pointed questions were put to counsel regarding the pleadings, many were unable to explain the basis of the arguments or provide supporting legal reasoning.

The court cautioned that while technology may assist in legal work, over-reliance on AI-generated content without proper application of mind undermines professional responsibility. It stressed that advocates are expected to fully understand and stand by the pleadings they file, regardless of the tools used in drafting them.

Expressing concern over declining standards in legal drafting, the Bench observed that petitions prepared without proper research or comprehension waste judicial time and compromise the quality of justice delivery. The judges warned that the growing trend of submitting inadequately vetted, computer-generated pleadings could have serious implications for litigants as well as the justice system.

The High Court emphasised that artificial intelligence cannot replace legal reasoning, experience or professional accountability. Lawyers, it said, must ensure that technology is used only as an aid and not as a substitute for independent legal analysis and preparation.