Provincial

New Brunswick Lawyer Faces Complaint Over Alleged Improper AI Use

Lawyer Denis Sawyer is under scrutiny for allegedly using artificial intelligence inappropriately and including fictitious citations in a submission to provincial court. This complaint, issued by the Law Society of New Brunswick, highlights concerns about the growing use of AI in legal practices. Experts suggest that this incident reflects a broader trend of similar issues in the legal profession.

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Denis Sawyer, a lawyer in New Brunswick, is facing a complaint from the Law Society of New Brunswick regarding his alleged improper use of artificial intelligence in legal documents. According to a notice issued by the law society, Sawyer submitted a court brief in April 2025 that included a significant number of fictitious citations—specifically, ten out of twelve citations were allegedly fabricated. The law society's action marks a notable instance as it is described as the first complaint of its kind in New Brunswick related to AI usage in legal practices. This situation has drawn attention from legal experts, who are discussing the implications of AI in the legal field and its potential to create challenges surrounding the accuracy and integrity of legal documentation. The rise of AI tools in various sectors, including law, has led to calls for oversight to prevent misuse and ensure the reliability of information provided to courts.

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Complaint about lawyer's alleged improper AI use a first for N.B., law society says
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Complaint against New Brunswick lawyer’s use of AI part of growing trend: experts
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