E.D. Tex.: Standing Order MC-11: Disclosure and Certification Requirements for Use of Gen…

What the order requires

Standing Order MC-11, signed at Beaumont on July 20, 2026, imposes “the following disclosure and certification requirement on all parties—represented or appearing pro se in criminal cases and/or civil cases—when they submit a filing with this court”:

“If a party utilizes AI to draft or assist in drafting a pleading, the party must include with the pleading a ‘Certificate of Generative Artificial Intelligence Usage.’ The certificate must disclose the use of AI and certify that the party has independently verified the accuracy of any portion of the document drafted or assisted by the tool. The party must further certify that the use of AI has not resulted in the disclosure of confidential or privileged information to an unauthorized party.”

The certificate therefore has three parts: disclosure of use, verification of accuracy, and a confidentiality attestation.

Relationship to the district’s local rules

MC-11 builds on, rather than replaces, the Eastern District’s rules. It cites Local Rule CV-11(g), which cautions that AI may produce factual and legal inaccuracies and reminds all litigants that they are responsible for reviewing and verifying their filings, along with Local Rules AT-3(m) and AT-3(b). What MC-11 adds in Judge Crone’s cases is the certificate.

Consequences

Sanctions under the court’s inherent authority “may include fines, dismissal of the responsible party’s case, non-monetary directives such as completing education programs, reporting to the relevant disciplinary boards, and other appropriate measures.” The order adds that “the fact that AI was used to create the offending document will not excuse or absolve ethical infractions.”

Related orders

Judge Ernest Gonzalez’s standing order in the Western District of Texas (June 25, 2026) uses materially the same three-part certificate.

Primary source

Standing Order MC-11 (July 20, 2026) (PDF)