For years, courts have seen a steady stream of cases brought by individuals representing themselves. These plaintiffs have increasingly turned to artificial intelligence to assist in their filings, which add to the workload of the judicial system.
Take Donald Sauve, for example. Working from a coffee shop in Mora, Minnesota, he spent time on legal documents for a self-managed legal filing. Previously, Mr. Sauve had submitted a handwritten complaint without legal representation, seeking substantial damages. He claimed he was wrongfully deprived of his home, but his case was swiftly dismissed due to lack of jurisdiction.
He returned three months later, armed with AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude. His new submission was a neatly typed document, supported by 50 additional filings, including a synthesis of case law he believed supported his claim. Despite the technological assistance, Mr. Sauve’s lawsuit met the same fate as his first attempt. Judge Patrick J. Schiltz dismissed it, noting the failure to clearly state a claim.
Federal judges and legal experts are observing a rise in such AI-assisted filings. While they increase the legal system’s burden, they also enable individuals to access the courts, particularly those who cannot afford legal representation. This development adds complexity to an already strained system.
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