2 Sources
[1]
Pseudolaw is high theater, but no laughing matter for the courts
The Australian legal system is grappling with a disruptive new movement that is not only tying up the courts, councils and police, but also posing an unprecedented threat to democracy. In a new paper published in the Alternative Law Journal, UniSA Associate Professor of Law Joe McIntyre documents the rapid rise of pseudolaw -- false legal theories that mimic the language and rituals of the law but without any real substance. Examples include "Bunnings Karen" citing Magna Carta to avoid a mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic; motorists using pseudo arguments to contest the legality of speeding tickets; and litigants accusing judges of treason and witchcraft. Common claims include insisting that courts lack authority because the wrong coat of arms is displayed, or that an individual is a "natural person" and immune from legal obligations. Characterized by so-called Sovereign Citizens who question authority, embrace conspiracy theories and co-opt legal language to create an "alternative" legal universe, pseudolaw cases have proliferated since COVID, now numbering hundreds of cases in NSW alone in the past six months. Assoc. Prof. McIntyre says the rise of the pseudolaw movement -- often likened to a cult -- overlaps with the increasing use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), threatening the justice system. "At its heart, pseudolaw mistakes the form of legal argument for its substance. It uses archaic language, ceremonial rituals and legal-sounding jargon to create the illusion of meaning -- an illusion that can be both compelling and deeply disruptive," according to Assoc. Prof. McIntyre. "It is also beginning to intersect with another emerging phenomenon -- the widespread use of GenAI and particularly large language models in a manner that is particularly alarming." Litigants are increasingly using these language models to generate written legal responses as well as oral submissions to the bench in real time. "In both cases, the public is engaging with inherently complex and inaccessible forms of technology that produce outputs which can look plausible but are far from it." Assoc. Prof. McIntyre warns that the convergence of pseudolaw and AI could "turbocharge" misinformation in courts, overwhelming judges and administrators. Once on the fringes, pseudolaw cases are now a daily occurrence in Australian law courts, wasting judicial resources and holding up genuine litigation. "One South Australian judge recently described its impact as having changed the whole face of the civil justice system, noting the strain it places on registries and courtrooms," Assoc. Prof. McIntyre says. The UniSA law lecturer says that pseudolaw thrives because many people feel alienated from the legal system and lack the ability to distinguish genuine law from its imitation. "To the untrained eye, pseudolegal documents and arguments look authentic. In a system already burdened by archaic language and rituals, it's easy for people to mistake confidence and theatrical performance for competence." Although pseudolaw can seem absurd -- even comical at times -- Assoc. Prof. McIntyre says it has serious consequences for our democracy. "It is undermining trust in our institutions, threatening judicial officers and harming vulnerable litigants who are misled by websites peddling promises of legal loopholes." Ironically, it is also a symptom of the existing legal system, which alienates the public due to its use of convoluted language, providing "fertile fields" for misinformation. "Pseudolaw is forcing us to reflect upon our own legal institutions and how we are contributing to this phenomenon," Assoc. Prof. McIntyre says. "The law matters, but so does meaningful public engagement. Pseudolaw is the consequence of 50 years of diminishing access to justice and a chronic underinvestment in civics and legal literacy education. It is time we addressed that."
[2]
Pseudolaw Is High Theatre, but No Laughing Matter for the Courts | Newswise
Newswise -- The Australian legal system is grappling with a disruptive new movement that is not only tying up the courts, councils and police, but also posing an unprecedented threat to democracy. In a new paper published in the Alternative Law Journal, UniSA Associate Professor of Law Joe McIntyre documents the rapid rise of pseudolaw - false legal theories that mimic the language and rituals of the law but without any real substance. Examples include 'Bunnings Karen' citing Magna Carta to avoid a mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic; motorists using pseudo arguments to contest the legality of speeding tickets; and litigants accusing judges of treason and witchcraft. Common claims include insisting that courts lack authority because the wrong coat of arms is displayed, or that an individual is a "natural person" and immune from legal obligations. Characterised by so-called Sovereign Citizens who question authority, embrace conspiracy theories and co-opt legal language to create an 'alternative' legal universe, pseudolaw cases have proliferated since COVID, now numbering hundreds of cases in NSW alone in the past six months. Assoc Prof McIntyre says the rise of the pseudolaw movement - often likened to a cult - overlaps with the increasing use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), threatening the justice system. "At its heart, pseudolaw mistakes the form of legal argument for its substance. It uses archaic language, ceremonial rituals and legal-sounding jargon to create the illusion of meaning - an illusion that can be both compelling and deeply disruptive," according to Assoc Prof McIntyre. "It is also beginning to intersect with another emerging phenomenon - the widespread use of GenAI and particularly large language models in a manner that is particularly alarming." Litigants are increasingly using these language models to generate written legal responses as well as oral submissions to the bench in real time. "In both cases the public is engaging with inherently complex and inaccessible forms of technology that produce outputs which can look plausible but are far from it." Assoc Prof McIntyre warns that the convergence of pseudolaw and AI could "turbocharge" misinformation in courts, overwhelming judges and administrators. Once on the fringes, pseudolaw cases are now a daily occurrence in Australian law courts, wasting judicial resources and holding up genuine litigation. "One South Australian judge recently described its impact as having changed the whole face of the civil justice system, noting the strain it places on registries and courtrooms," Assoc Prof McIntyre says. The UniSA law lecturer says that pseudolaw thrives because many people feel alienated from the legal system and lack the ability to distinguish genuine law from its imitation. "To the untrained eye, pseudolegal documents and arguments look authentic. In a system already burdened by archaic language and rituals, it's easy for people to mistake confidence and theatrical performance for competence." Although pseudolaw can seem absurd - even comical at times - Assoc Prof McIntyre says it has serious consequences for our democracy. "It is undermining trust in our institutions, threatening judicial officers and harming vulnerable litigants who are misled by websites peddling promises of legal loopholes." Ironically, it is also a symptom of the existing legal system, which alienates the public due to its use of convoluted language, providing "fertile fields" for misinformation. "Pseudolaw is forcing us to reflect upon our own legal institutions and how we are contributing to this phenomenon," Assoc Prof McIntyre says. "The law matters, but so does meaningful public engagement. Pseudolaw is the consequence of 50 years of diminishing access to justice and a chronic underinvestment in civics and legal literacy education. It is time we addressed that."
Share
Copy Link
A new study highlights the alarming rise of pseudolaw in Australian courts, exacerbated by the use of AI, posing significant challenges to the legal system and democracy.
A new study published in the Alternative Law Journal by UniSA Associate Professor of Law Joe McIntyre has shed light on a growing phenomenon in the Australian legal system: pseudolaw. This disruptive movement is characterized by false legal theories that mimic the language and rituals of the law without any real substance, posing a significant threat to the courts and democracy 12.
Source: newswise
Pseudolaw cases have proliferated since the COVID-19 pandemic, with hundreds of cases reported in New South Wales alone in the past six months. These cases often involve so-called Sovereign Citizens who question authority, embrace conspiracy theories, and co-opt legal language to create an "alternative" legal universe 12.
Common pseudolaw claims include:
The impact of pseudolaw on the legal system has been significant, with one South Australian judge describing it as having "changed the whole face of the civil justice system" 12.
Assoc. Prof. McIntyre warns that the rise of pseudolaw is coinciding with the increasing use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models. This convergence poses a new threat to the justice system 12.
Litigants are increasingly using AI to generate:
The combination of pseudolaw and AI could "turbocharge" misinformation in courts, overwhelming judges and administrators with plausible-looking but fundamentally flawed legal arguments 12.
The study identifies several factors contributing to the rise of pseudolaw:
While pseudolaw can sometimes appear absurd or comical, its consequences are serious. It undermines trust in institutions, threatens judicial officers, and harms vulnerable litigants who may be misled by false promises of legal loopholes 12.
Source: Phys.org
Assoc. Prof. McIntyre argues that pseudolaw is a symptom of deeper issues within the legal system, including:
To combat this growing threat, the study suggests that meaningful public engagement with the law is crucial. It calls for reflection on legal institutions and how they may be contributing to the phenomenon of pseudolaw 12.
As the intersection of pseudolaw and AI continues to evolve, it presents a unique challenge to legal systems worldwide, demanding innovative solutions to preserve the integrity of the justice system and maintain public trust in legal institutions.
Mount Sinai researchers develop an AI model that provides individualized treatment recommendations for atrial fibrillation patients, potentially transforming the standard approach to anticoagulation therapy.
3 Sources
Health
22 hrs ago
3 Sources
Health
22 hrs ago
TSMC achieves unprecedented 70.2% market share in Q2 2025, driven by AI, smartphone, and PC chip demand. The company's revenue hits $30.24 billion, showcasing its technological leadership and market dominance.
3 Sources
Business
23 hrs ago
3 Sources
Business
23 hrs ago
UCLA researchers develop a non-invasive brain-computer interface system with AI assistance, significantly improving performance for users, including those with paralysis, in controlling robotic arms and computer cursors.
5 Sources
Technology
22 hrs ago
5 Sources
Technology
22 hrs ago
Gartner predicts AI-capable PCs will make up 31% of the global PC market by 2025, with shipments reaching 77.8 million units. Despite temporary slowdowns due to tariffs, AI PCs are expected to become the norm by 2029.
2 Sources
Technology
23 hrs ago
2 Sources
Technology
23 hrs ago
AI tools are being used to create hyper-realistic, sexist content featuring bikini-clad women, flooding social media platforms and blurring the line between fiction and reality.
2 Sources
Technology
23 hrs ago
2 Sources
Technology
23 hrs ago