Summary
On March 25, 2026, New York's Chief Administrative Judge added a new Part 161 on the use of artificial intelligence in court papers. The rule does not ban AI and does not require blanket disclosure that AI was used, but it squarely keeps responsibility on lawyers and parties to understand the tools they use, review the finished paper, and ensure that no fabricated cases, statutes, or other false content reach the court.
Why It Matters
This is a direct legal workflow reference because it translates AI anxiety into a concrete filing policy:
- lawyers may use AI in drafting and research workflows
- disclosure is not automatically required just because AI was used
- courts can still adopt local part rules using the model language
- independent review remains mandatory before filing
- sanctions remain available if fabricated content slips through
It is especially useful because it shows one large court system choosing governed operationalization instead of either a full ban or an automatic disclosure mandate.
What the Source Says
The order says the new Part 161 applies across the Unified Court System in civil and criminal cases and becomes effective June 1, 2026. It states that AI use in preparing court papers should not be prohibited and that attorneys and parties should not be required to disclose AI use solely because they used such tools. At the same time, the model rule warns that AI can generate fabricated information or fictitious citations and says anyone using AI in preparing a paper must carefully review it and independently ensure that it contains no fabricated or fictitious material, with sanctions or other remedial action available if that requirement is not met.