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Before relying on AI-generated legal research, independently verify every important citation, quotation, legal proposition, and procedural requirement against authoritative sources. Treat the output as a set of leads—not as proof of what the law says. The right checks depend on the jurisdiction, court, matter, and your role.
Start by defining what the research must answer
Write down the precise legal issue, jurisdiction, procedural posture, and relevant date before evaluating an AI answer. Then separate its contents into individual legal propositions, factual assertions, quotations, citations, and recommendations. Prioritize claims that could affect advice, a filing, a deadline, or a client decision.
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This prevents a fluent answer from quietly broadening the question or answering under assumptions that do not fit the matter.
Verify every authority in a reliable source
Open each cited case, statute, regulation, or other authority in an authoritative court or government source, or a trusted legal research service. Confirm that the authority exists and that its name, citation, issuing court or body, date, and pinpoint reference match the document. If you cannot locate it independently, treat it as unverified and do not cite it on the strength of the AI’s assurance.
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A working link is not enough: the link may lead to a real source while the generated citation details are still wrong. The ABA Section of Litigation describes fabricated cases, malformed citations, and other errors in its discussion of recent cases involving generative AI.
Read the source and test what it actually supports
Compare quoted language word for word with the source, check the pinpoint location, and read enough surrounding text to understand its context. Then test whether the authority supports the proposition attributed to it. Watch for omitted qualifications, overbroad summaries, or a legal principle that does not appear in the cited decision.
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The State Bar of Arizona puts the standard plainly: “All generative AI-generated content must be independently verified for accuracy and bias.” Its AI best-practices guidance describes verification as legal analysis and validation, not merely spotting obvious mistakes.
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Identify where each authority comes from and determine whether it is binding or persuasive for the issue and court at hand. Check whether it has been amended, superseded, vacated, limited, or otherwise affected by later developments. Search for contrary authority, exceptions, limiting language, and facts that distinguish the rule.
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Errors can include misidentifying a case’s jurisdiction or describing a decision as binding when it is not. Use the citator and currentness tools appropriate to the jurisdiction; there is no single workflow established here for every legal system.
Check the rules for the specific court and filing
Before using AI-assisted research in a submission, inspect the applicable court rules, local rules, judge’s standing orders, and case-specific directions. Look for any restrictions on AI use, disclosure requirements, certifications, or other filing instructions. Requirements vary: guidance about one court or judge does not establish a universal rule.
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The State Bar of Arizona and the ABA both direct practitioners to consider applicable court requirements. Their guidance is useful risk-control advice, but it does not determine what applies in an unnamed court or to every reader.
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Before entering matter details or uploading documents, check the tool’s terms and safeguards: how prompts and files are accessed, stored, retained, and used. Follow applicable professional duties, client instructions, engagement terms, and organizational policy; minimize identifying details where possible.
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The Arizona Bar cautions against entering confidential client information without adequate safeguards. In England and Wales, the Bar Council warns barristers not to share legally privileged or confidential information with LLM systems. Its January 30, 2024 announcement quotes Chair Sam Townend KC: “Any use of AI must be done carefully to safeguard client confidentiality and maintain trust and confidence, privacy, and compliance with applicable laws.” That guidance concerns barristers in England and Wales, not every profession or jurisdiction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keep human judgment and responsibility in the loop
For lawyers, using AI does not transfer responsibility for submitted or signed work product to the tool. The Florida Bar’s Opinion 24-1 says lawyers must verify the accuracy and sufficiency of AI research. The State Bar of Arizona likewise says AI does not replace professional judgment.
The ABA announced its first formal ethics guidance on lawyers’ use of AI tools in July 2024. These US professional sources do not establish the exact duties of every reader. Check the regulator, court, client terms, and firm or organization policies that govern your situation.
Keep a record of material checks
For propositions that matter to advice or a filing, retain the verified source and notes showing what you checked: citation details, relevant passages, currentness, and any applicable procedural instructions. This makes the review traceable and helps distinguish verified authority from claims that still need work.
Use citation manuals only for citation form
A citation guide can help format a citation, but it cannot prove that an authority exists, remains good law, or supports an argument. In the United States, The Bluebook is a widely used citation system, but requirements can differ by court, association, or university; follow the applicable court’s rules where they differ. Cornell’s Bluebook overview explains that variation, and Massachusetts lists The Bluebook, 22nd edition (2025), among its legal-writing and citation resources.
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