Courts on AI / monthly digest
What courts said about AI in September 2026
2 court-authored documents filed this month that substantively discuss generative AI. Fabricated or misquoted citations 1 · Self-represented litigants using AI 1.
- Douglas v. Deutsche Bank National Trust Company
· District of Columbia Court of Appeals · Fabricated or misquoted citations
The District of Columbia Court of Appeals strikes Deutsche Bank’s appellee brief after counsel admits that four cited authorities generated through Google’s AI search did not exist. The court also refers the matter to disciplinary counsel and stresses that signed appellate briefs require verified authorities.
- In re the Marriage of Monson
· Iowa Court of Appeals · Self-represented litigants using AI
The Iowa Court of Appeals identifies likely AI misuse in a self-represented divorce appellant’s brief, including nonexistent and mischaracterized authorities. The court still considers discernible claims, affirms the decree, and warns that inaccurate AI-assisted filings waste resources.