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Northern District of Alabama Orders Disclosure of AI Use in SEC v. Louisiana State University

Bot Mutiny | September 8, 2026

Judge Annemarie Carney Axon of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama issued an initial order on September 4, 2026, establishing strict rules for the use of artificial intelligence in the case of The Southeastern Conference v. Louisiana State University. The order, first reported by CourtListener, mandates that all counsel and pro se parties disclose if they've used AI in any capacity to prepare documents submitted to the court. This isn't a suggestion. It's a requirement. ## Mandatory Certification

Under Section I, Part F of the document, the court specifies that anyone using AI to prepare a filing must sign a specific disclosure. The statement must identify the AI tool used by name. It also requires the person to certify, under penalty of perjury, that they've independently reviewed the document for accuracy and legitimacy. The court's language is direct. Judge Axon won't accept technical ignorance as an excuse. The order states that the court doesn't recognize a lack of technical expertise or time constraints as a good faith excuse for violating Rule 11 or this specific disclosure rule. ## Sanctions for Fake Caselaw

The order takes a specific stance on AI hallucinations. It explicitly warns against briefs supported by AI-generated caselaw. The court defines this as cases or quotations from cases that don't actually exist. If a party fails to comply, the consequences are heavy. The order notes that failure to follow these rules can result in sanctions. These sanctions include the possibility of dismissal or default judgment. The court is putting the responsibility for the final output squarely on the humans signing the papers. ## Communication and Procedure

Beyond AI, the order sets rigid boundaries for how the case will proceed in the Southern Division. Judge Axon's staff won't answer questions from attorneys over the phone. All communication has to happen via email to a specific chambers address. No ex parte communication is allowed. The document also addresses HIPAA compliance. If protected health information is relevant, parties have to present a valid authorization during their Rule 26 planning meeting. ## Access and Format

The court is maintaining a presumption of public access. Under Eleventh Circuit law, the parties can't just agree to file documents under seal in a protective order. They have to establish good cause to overcome the public's constitutional right to see judicial records. Format requirements are also specific. Documents have to be in 14-point type. If a submission is longer than 30 pages, the filing party has to deliver a double-sided, securely bound courtesy copy to the Clerk's office within three business days. This order in Case 2:26-cv-01586-ACA establishes that the Northern District of Alabama is treating AI as a liability that requires human oversight. The court's message to the SEC and LSU is clear: the software might write the draft, but the human takes the fall.