Weekly roundup of Scots law in the headlines including sheriff's AI warning and assisted dying outcome — Monday March 23

This week's review of all the latest headlines from the world of Scots law and beyond includes a fierce rebuke over AI hallucinated case citation in a Scottish court as well as the outcome of assisted dying debates.

Judge issues AI warning after landlord uses fake law defence

A judge has warned AI users they could face contempt of court proceedings after the technology invented fake legislation and fictitious references in a case he heard, reports the BBC.

Sheriff John MacRitchie dealt with a case brought by landlords seeking £5,000 in rent arrears from two former tenants at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.

• Judge issues AI warning after landlord uses fake law defence (BBC)
• Fife sheriff warns AI users could be in contempt for wasting court time (Courier)

MSP rules out reintroducing assisted dying bill after Scottish election

The MSP behind the rejected assisted dying bill has ruled out reintroducing the legislation in the next parliament, reports the BBC.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur wanted to give dying Scots access to medical help to end their lives - to avoid the suffering of what he describes as "bad deaths".

On Tuesday night his bill was defeated by 69 votes to 57, following a moving debate where MSPs laid their emotions bare.

• MSP rules out reintroducing assisted dying bill after Scottish election (BBC)
• Scotland's assisted dying bill has fallen - what happens now? (BBC)
• Statement - Assisted Dying Bill vote (Church of Scotland)
• Scottish Parliament votes to reject assisted dying bill after emotional debate (ITVX)
• How did MSPs vote on assisted dying bill – see the full list (National)
• Scotland rejects assisted dying (Telegraph)
• [£] How assisted dying bill collapsed after fierce lobbying (Times)
• Scottish parliament votes against legalising assisted dying (Guardian)
• Emotional four-hour debate ends with Scotland’s assisted dying bill failing (BBC)
• Assisted dying in Scotland law rejected by MSPs following emotional debate at Holyrood (Daily Record)

And in other news

Legal headlines from across the UK and beyond:

• Second young prisoner dies in Scotland in space of a week (BBC)
• [£] Now inmate deaths soar in overcrowded Scots prisons (Daily Mail)
• Man who tried to murder neighbours with gas leak is jailed (BBC)
• [£] Lex Greensill fails to persuade court to throw out UK director ban case (Financial Times)
• Scotland bans greyhound racing in more ridiculed dog law (Scottish Legal News)
• Scotland: English invasion “shows need for urgent ABS action” (Legal Futures)
• Scotland passes new law to regulate cosmetic procedures like Botox (Scotsman)
• ‘A weight’s been lifted’: MP Charlotte Nichols on speaking up about her rape trial (Guardian)
• Lords vote to back clause pardoning women convicted over illegal abortions (Guardian)
• Opinion: Juries want fairness in court and don’t just obey the government. That’s why ministers are attacking them - Michael Mansfield (Guardian)
• [£] Brenda Campbell on defending an appeal against Kneecap singer (Times)
• Government backtracks on AI and copyright after outcry from major artists (BBC)