New York courts’ Part 161 AI rule takes effect: no general disclosure duty, strict verification
22 NYCRR Part 161, adopted March 25, 2026 and effective June 1, 2026, permits AI use in preparing court papers across the Unified Court System but requires attorneys to review papers and ensure they contain no fabricated or fictitious cases, statutes or other material.
Part 161 states the policy that AI use in court papers should not be prohibited, provided it is consistent with existing professional duties. It does not impose a general disclosure requirement. Instead it places the burden where courts nationwide have placed it: on careful review and independent verification by the attorney.
The rule applies in civil and criminal matters throughout the Unified Court System. Judges keep discretion to adopt the model rule in Part 161, add their own requirements, or impose none.
Practical step: keep a record of standing orders and part rules for each judge you appear before. See our US State Bar AI Guidance Navigator.
General information, not legal advice. Check the primary source and any later developments before relying on this summary.