A Crown Prosecution Service lawyer cites a nonexistent case to England's high court after an AI search
Two senior judges called the explanation unsatisfactory; it is only the second known case involving the CPS, the main prosecutor for England and Wales.
Why it matters
Fabricated citations have mostly come from people representing themselves, often in employment tribunals. This one came from a senior crown prosecutor in a case over whether an 11-year-old boy should be prosecuted, which raises the stakes for state agencies using AI search. The CPS admitted a similar error in February in an extradition case and then judged the risk of recurrence low. Watch for new CPS guidance or court sanctions.
Key facts
- Prosecutor: Ravinder Dhillon, representing the CPS
- Two senior high court judges called her explanation unsatisfactory
- The Guardian understands the citation came from an AI response in an internet search
- Second known CPS case after an extradition case admitted in February