Key facts
- An immigration lawyer, Abhishek Kumar, has been struck off the register.
- Kumar used AI-generated evidence, including fake case citations, in his defense during his disciplinary proceedings.
- He was previously convicted in 2024 for employing a disqualified individual and paying them cash in hand.
- The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found his actions breached professional conduct rules and undermined the administration of justice.
- The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) identified the AI-generated false information.
An immigration lawyer has been struck off the professional register after submitting AI-generated evidence, including fabricated case citations, as part of his defense in his own disciplinary proceedings. Abhishek Kumar, 41, was referred to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) following a criminal conviction in 2024 for knowingly employing a disqualified vulnerable adult and paying them "cash in hand." Kumar, who represented himself, used AI to draft his defense, which contained misleading quotations and non-existent cases. When the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) identified these false citations, Kumar sent an email apology that also contained further AI-generated false material. He accepted that his actions breached professional principles and failed to uphold the administration of justice, stating he had no intention to mislead but lacked expertise to verify AI output. However, the SDT dismissed his excuses, ruling that the harm caused by both the immigration violation and the AI misuse was high. The tribunal made it clear that Kumar would have been struck off for either offense independently. He is now prohibited from practicing law.