Vibe Lawyering. Is ChatGPT a Full Replacement for Lawyers or a Dangerous Illusion?

More and more people are turning to ChatGPT or other AI services, describing their legal issue and receiving a ready-made contract, claim letter, statement of claim, or even a so-called “legal opinion.” This naturally raises a question: if artificial intelligence can do all of this within minutes, are lawyers still needed at all? At first glance, the answer may seem obvious. However, this is exactly where the most serious risks begin.

When Everyone Can Become a “Lawyer”

Modern artificial intelligence models have indeed made access to legal information significantly easier. They can help quickly prepare a draft contract, formulate a demand to a counterparty, find relevant legal provisions, structure documents, or explain complex legal terms in simple language. For many people, this has become a real breakthrough. Tasks that previously required lengthy research or a professional consultation can now be completed within minutes. That is why more and more people are choosing to represent their own interests, relying not on a lawyer but on chatbot responses. On the one hand, this makes legal assistance more accessible. On the other hand, it creates a new challenge — one that courts in different countries are already beginning to notice.

ChatGPT Is Not Legal Advice

The main mistake is that people often perceive an artificial intelligence response as a ready-made legal conclusion. In reality, large language models do not analyze a situation in the same way a lawyer does. They generate the most likely text based on vast amounts of data they were trained on. This means that an answer may be logical, well-written, and highly convincing, while still being legally incorrect. This is particularly dangerous when a user does not have enough experience to verify the information provided.

Artificial Intelligence “Hallucinations”

One of the most well-known problems of generative AI remains so-called hallucinations. Artificial intelligence can confidently refer to court decisions that never existed, cite legislation in an outdated or altered form, attribute conclusions to judges that they never made, or even create entirely fictional legal precedents. Such a document may look professional at first glance. However, submitting it to court without proper verification can lead to very serious consequences.

A few years ago, such cases were considered isolated incidents. Today, courts are increasingly encountering procedural documents containing non-existent case law or inaccurate references to legislation. For example, in Canada, courts identified 79 cases of fictional court decisions being used in legal filings during the first half of 2026 alone, compared with only seven such cases throughout the entire year of 2024.

The Problem Is Growing Rapidly

As The Economist points out, cases involving the use of unverified AI-generated documents are already being reported in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and other countries. This occurs particularly often in cases where parties represent themselves without professional legal assistance. For example, in the United Kingdom, the share of civil cases in which both parties are represented by lawyers decreased from 51% in 2022 to 42% in 2025. In US federal civil courts, the share of self-representation has also increased — from approximately 11%, which had remained stable for many years, to 17% in 2025.

Paradoxically, it is precisely the accessibility of artificial intelligence that creates the illusion that law has become simple. In reality, legal work is not limited to drafting texts. Choosing the right defense strategy, evaluating evidence, determining litigation tactics, assessing risks, managing procedural deadlines, analyzing case law, and understanding the specifics of an individual case — all of this cannot be reduced to a single chatbot request.

Excessive Optimism — an AI Trap

There is another risk that experts highlight. Artificial intelligence often provides answers in a very confident and categorical manner. As a result, users may begin to believe that their position is flawless and that victory in court is almost guaranteed. This can lead people to reject negotiations, ignore the possibility of settlement, or even initiate legal proceedings that lack sufficient legal grounds. For the client, this means additional costs in terms of time, money, and resources; for the justice system, it leads to an increase in the number of unfounded disputes.

Does This Mean We Should Abandon AI?

Artificial intelligence has already become a powerful tool for the legal profession. It helps analyze large volumes of documents faster, find relevant case law, structure information, prepare initial drafts of legal documents, review wording, and automate routine tasks. Therefore, completely abandoning it would not be the right approach.

For example, in London, the Garfield AI platform helped an employment adviser prepare the necessary materials to protect her rights and contributed to the recovery of approximately £7,000. However, artificial intelligence did not replace the lawyer — it became a tool that helped prepare the legal position more efficiently, while the final assessment of the situation and legal guidance were provided by professionals. It is professional legal thinking that allows a lawyer to determine whether a document truly serves the client’s interests, whether the legal position has been chosen correctly, and what consequences each subsequent step may bring.

The Lawyer of the Future Works Together with AI

The question today is no longer: “a lawyer or ChatGPT?” A more accurate question is: “How can a lawyer use artificial intelligence to achieve the best possible outcome for a client?”

AI can significantly reduce the time required to prepare documents and assist in finding relevant information. However, it is the lawyer who verifies facts, considers current legislation, analyzes case law, takes into account the individual circumstances of the case, and develops an effective legal strategy. It is this combination of technology and professional expertise that is becoming the new standard of legal practice.

Artificial intelligence is already transforming the legal market, and this process is only gaining momentum. It makes legal information more accessible, automates routine processes, and creates new opportunities for both lawyers and clients.

However, AI cannot replace professional legal analysis, strategic thinking, responsibility for decisions, or practical experience.