Artificial Intelligence and the Rise of Pro Se Litigation

For years, courts have accepted cases from individuals representing themselves, known as pro se litigants. With the advent of artificial intelligence, these litigants now have new tools to aid their legal filings, increasing the volume of court submissions.

Donald Sauve, a resident of Mora, Minnesota, exemplifies this change. He previously filed a lawsuit against his ex-wife, her lawyer, and a state judge. The suit sought $275,000 in damages, claiming wrongful eviction from his home. Sauve wrote this by hand, and Judge Jerry W. Blackwell dismissed it for lack of jurisdiction within a month.

Undeterred, Sauve returned to court a few months later with assistance from artificial intelligence tools ChatGPT and Claude. This time, he submitted a well-organized, typed complaint. His filing included a comprehensive set of 50 documents and a case law synthesis, supporting his claims through legal research. In interviews, Sauve described A.I. as his essential tool for moving forward with his case, emphasizing that “knowledge is power.”

Federal judges and legal analysts have noted a surge in similar submissions. A.I. is enabling more people to engage with the legal system, especially those unable to afford traditional legal representation. However, this also contributes to an already burdened judicial system.

Sauve’s revised case met the same fate as his first one. In September, it was dismissed again by Judge Patrick J. Schiltz of Minnesota’s Federal District Court. The judge’s 14-page opinion highlighted Sauve’s inability to clearly state a valid claim.

This development in legal proceedings illustrates the profound impact A.I. has in shaping the accessibility of courts. While it offers significant potential benefits, it also challenges the system’s capacity to handle increased filings efficiently.