SME Law $9k penalty for lawyer’s ‘unacceptable’ use of AI A self-professed expert in migration law has been handed a personal costs order for his courtroom conduct, including the inappropriate use of generative artificial intelligence. September 21, 2026 • By Naomi Neilson Share Share this article on: Facebook X LinkedIn Copy link Link copied! Gurdial Singh Ranji Singh, principal solicitor and director of Quantum Legal Advisory & Migration Consultants, was ordered to pay $9,600 in costs, partly for his use of generative artificial intelligence in judicial review and costs proceedings. This content is available exclusively to Lawyers Weekly premium members. Become a Member Log in to your Premium Account Become a Premium Member for unlimited access to exclusive content. INDIVIDUAL Yearly $ 49.00 per year SUBSCRIBE NOW INDIVIDUAL Monthly $ 5.00 per month SUBSCRIBE NOW Learn more about Premium Benefits and other offers Username or Email Password Forgot password? Keep me signed in on this device. If you check this box before you log in, you won’t have to log back into the website next time you return, even if you close your browser and come back later. If you check the box above before you log in, you won’t have to log back into the website next time you return, even if you close your browser and come back later. or Login with a Passkey While Singh admitted that six authorities in the judicial review submissions and five authorities in the costs proceedings were hallucinations, he only did so after the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) (Division 2) sought clarification.     Judge Simone Bingham said it was “unacceptable” that court resources were used to fact-check a lawyer’s submissions. “The court expects that a lawyer will use their expertise and ensure that the authorities relied upon in submissions do in fact exist and are not mere hallucination of a generative AI program. “The court expects that a lawyer will maintain their professional duties and obligations when utilising generative AI,” she said. In addition to breaching his duties to the court, Singh’s improper use of AI “compromised the effective administration of justice”. He then failed to attend court on two occasions when the issue of costs was to be heard and potentially determined. He also failed to appear remotely or retain counsel to appear on his behalf. VIEW ALL Judge Bingham said it was “disrespectful and tantamount to treating the court, [his client] and [opposing] lawyers with contempt”. The FCFCOA decided against referring Singh’s conduct to a legal regulator, citing his acknowledgement of AI misuse, his apologies, his remorse, and his undertaking of professional development on the responsible use of AI in legal practice. The public reprimand of him being named in the FCFCOA’s reasons and personal costs orders were sufficient, Judge Bingham said. Singh was also criticised for a number of other courtroom blunders, including his failure to certify whether his client’s amended application for judicial review had reasonable prospects of success, as required under section 4861 of the Migration Act. There was also no retainer in writing, no file notes of conversations about the retainer, or any substantive discussion regarding the terms and extent of the legal work. Judge Bingham said this was a “clear case in which a costs order must be made against the lawyer personally”. Citation: Dey v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (No 2) [2026] FedCFamC2G 1799. Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?Make Lawyers Weekly a preferred news source on Google.Click here to add Lawyers Weekly as a preferred news source. Naomi Neilson Author Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly, as well as other titles under the Momentum Media umbrella. She regularly writes about matters before the Federal Court of Australia, the Supreme Courts, the Civil and Administrative Tribunals, and the Fair Work Commission. Naomi has also published investigative pieces about the legal profession, including sexual harassment and bullying, wage disputes, and staff exoduses. You can email Naomi at: naomi.neilson@momentummedia.com.au. Know More Tags News Migration Law Artificial Intelligence AI disciplinary GenAI