N.D. Ala.: Initial Order, Part I.F (Disclosure of Use of Artificial Intelligence) (Hon. A…
Hon. Annemarie Carney Axon, U.S. District Judge · U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
Verified September 30, 2026
- Citation
- Initial Order, Part I.F (Disclosure of Use of Artificial Intelligence) (Hon. Annemarie Carney Axon, N.D. Ala.)
- Order date
- May 23, 2025
Summary
All counsel and pro se parties 'must disclose the use of artificial intelligence' in any capacity to prepare documents submitted to the court.
What does the order require?
- All counsel and pro se parties 'must disclose the use of artificial intelligence' in any capacity to prepare documents submitted to the court.
- A party who uses AI 'in any way to prepare a filing or submission to the court' must sign and file a disclosure stating: 'This document was generated with the assistance of [identify AI tool name]. I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that, despite use of an AI tool, I have independently reviewed this document to confirm the accuracy, legitimacy, and use of good and applicable law, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11.'
- The court 'does not recognize mistake, lack of technical expertise, and time constraints as a good faith excuse' for documents that violate Rule 11 or the disclosure rule, and arguments 'supported by AI-generated caselaw' are 'not acceptable.'
- 'Failure to comply with this rule may result in appropriate sanctions, up to and including dismissal or default judgment.'
Practice areas: federal civil
What the order requires
Judge Annemarie Carney Axon (N.D. Ala.), Sample Initial Order for Civil Cases (May 23, 2025), Part I.F, “Disclosure of Use of Artificial Intelligence.” The part provides that all counsel and pro se parties “must disclose the use of artificial intelligence” in any capacity to prepare documents submitted to the court. A party who uses AI “in any way to prepare a filing or submission to the court” must sign and file a disclosure stating: “This document was generated with the assistance of [identify AI tool name]. I hereby certify under penalty of perjury that, despite use of an AI tool, I have independently reviewed this document to confirm the accuracy, legitimacy, and use of good and applicable law, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11.”
The court “does not recognize mistake, lack of technical expertise, and time constraints as a good faith excuse for submission of documents that either violate Rule 11 or this disclosure rule,” and arguments in briefs “that are supported by AI-generated caselaw” are “not acceptable.” “Failure to comply with this rule may result in appropriate sanctions, up to and including dismissal or default judgment.”
Context
The disclosure applies to AI use of any kind, not only generative AI, and it requires a sworn certification of independent review. Compare Judge Haikala’s initial order in the same district, which cautions filers without requiring disclosure. See the Alabama tracker page.
Primary source
Judge Annemarie Carney Axon, Sample Initial Order for Civil Cases, linked from her page on the court’s site.