The Queensland Supreme Court Highlights Professional Duties in the Age of AI for Conveyancing
The Supreme Court of Queensland has introduced Practice Direction 5/25 (SC 5/25), a significant step in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into legal work. While AI can assist with certain tasks, the Directive makes it clear that professional obligations and accuracy remain essential. For buyers and sellers in Brisbane and across Queensland, this ensures that contracts, settlement documents, and other legal paperwork remain reliable and compliant with the law.
What is Supreme Court Practice Direction 5/25?
SC 5/25 addresses the increasing use of AI in legal practice by emphasising that human oversight and professional accountability remain critical. The Directive makes clear that AI is a tool to assist lawyers, not a replacement for their judgment, and that lawyers must remain personally responsible for the accuracy of all documents, submissions, and evidence. While the Directive specifically applies to court submissions, its underlying principles extend to all legal workflows, including property transactions such as contract preparation, title searches, and settlement documentation. The key aims of SC 5/25 are to ensure efficiency does not come at the expense of accuracy, to prevent misleading errors, and to maintain public confidence in legal processes.
Key Risks for Property Buyers and Sellers
- AI hallucinations may produce plausible but incorrect legal references or clauses.
- Over-reliance on AI can lead to errors in contracts or settlement paperwork.
- Mistakes can undermine legal outcomes and client confidence
The Supreme Court Directive emphasises:
- Every document or submission must have a clearly identified responsible practitioner.
- Supervisors and legal directors maintain oversight to ensure compliance with professional standards.
- Legal documents should be verified carefully to prevent errors from AI or third-party sources
- For buyers and sellers, this means contracts, title searches, and settlement documents are always checked and verified by qualified legal professionals before signing or sending.
Consequences of Improper AI Use
Recent cases have shown that improper or careless use of AI can carry serious consequences. Lawyers who fail to verify AI-generated material may face professional sanctions, financial penalties, or costs orders, even if errors were unintentional. Such mistakes can also delay property transactions and complicate settlements. These examples underline why careful verification and human oversight are essential in every legal process, especially in sensitive conveyancing matters.
Practical Measures for Accuracy and Safety
The Directive suggests practical steps for legal work in property transactions:
- Verify documents using authoritative sources
- Maintain clear accountability for all contracts and settlement documents
- Implement multiple levels of supervision to catch errors
- Be aware of AI limitations and automation bias
- These practices help protect clients and ensure property transactions proceed smoothly.
SC 5/25 reminds us that technology can support legal work but cannot replace human responsibility. For buyers and sellers in Brisbane and Queensland, it provides assurance that contracts, title searches, and settlement documents are accurate, professionally verified, and legally secure.
