The legal profession faces an accelerating governance crisis that should concern every senior leader overseeing regulatory frameworks and public accountability. Over 410 documented cases worldwide reveal lawyers submitting fabricated court citations generated by artificial intelligence, a problem that has exploded from a few incidents monthly to multiple cases daily in 2025

The implications extend far beyond courtrooms. Client expectations for AI integration nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025, yet only 21 per cent of legal firms report comprehensive adoption frameworks, creating dangerous gaps between technological deployment and professional competence