Legal Practice Ethics and Court Digitisation: AI Risks and E-Filing Compliance

Posted 30 July 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Legal Practice & Procedure

Brought to you by SAnews: Legal practitioners face heightened compliance obligations when employing artificial intelligence tools in litigation, while the judicial system continues its operational transition to digital case management.

Under professional conduct rules and duties owed to the court, legal practitioners remain strictly accountable for the accuracy of legal pleadings and legal research. In Mavundla v KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, legal representatives submitted heads of argument containing fictitious case law citations generated by automated systems. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development reaffirmed that automated tools do not relieve practitioners of their professional duty to verify citations, exercise independent professional judgment, and maintain ethical integrity in court proceedings.

Alongside ethical considerations for legal technology, court procedures continue to integrate through the Court Online portal. The platform modifies court document filing and record management by introducing standardized electronic processes:

  • Electronic Pleadings Filing: Authorised representatives file documents over the internet, minimizing paper-based filing.
  • Real-Time File Access: Concurrent access to case records for authorized judicial officers and legal representatives.
  • Record Preservation: Direct digital archiving to prevent misplaced, damaged, or lost court files.
  • Procedural Efficiency: Elimination of manual document handling and physical court travel for routine administrative processes.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: Independently verify every case law citation and statute reference in draft pleadings before signing or filing, as unverified legal tech output exposes practitioners to judicial sanctions.
  • For your business: Institute firm-wide artificial intelligence policy controls and quality assurance workflows for legal research, drafting, and document verification.
  • For your clients: Utilize the Court Online platform for civil litigation matters to ensure secure file tracking and reduce procedural delay.

Originally published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/justice-digital-age-must-serve-humanity-not-replace-it

The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Acts Online. Acts Online accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the article, nor does the information contained herein constitute advice, legal or otherwise.