Source: The National Law Review

The National Law Review discusses a growing judicial movement to implement a "mandatory hyperlink rule" as a solution to the persistent problem of AI-generated hallucinations in legal filings. Since late 2023, courts across the United States have faced an increasing number of briefs containing fabricated case citations produced by generative AI tools. While many judges have issued standing orders requiring attorneys to disclose the use of AI, these mandates have often proven insufficient to prevent errors. The proposed mandatory hyperlink rule would require that every legal authority cited in a brief—whether a case, statute, or regulation—be accompanied by a direct link to an official or reputable legal database where the full text of the authority can be verified.

Proponents of the rule argue that it places the burden of verification squarely on the filing party, effectively forcing attorneys to manually check every citation before submission. This would not only protect judges and clerks from the time-consuming task of chasing non-existent precedents but also serve as a technological guardrail that integrates seamlessly into existing digital filing systems. The article notes that while such a rule might increase the initial administrative burden on law firms, it is a necessary evolution of attorney due diligence in an era where synthetic content is easily mistaken for reality. By institutionalizing verification through hyperlinking, the judiciary aims to restore trust in the accuracy of legal arguments and maintain the procedural integrity of the court system.