New Zealand’s High Court has refused to let a director represent his company in a case against Vero NZ after hearing the man used AI to write his application.

Christopher Roberts’ reliance on artificial intelligence “does not engender confidence that he will be able to deal with the complex legal issues that arise in this claim”, Associate Judge Dale Lester says.

Vero told the court Mr Roberts cited a court case that appeared to be an AI hallucination.

The company director sought to represent his company, RAP, in claiming more than $NZ1.1 million ($920,000) from the insurer.

Judge Lester says that in 2016 RAP bought a property in Christchurch, and in 2018 it obtained a deed of assignment from the former owners for residual rights under their policy with Vero.

RAP then discovered unrepaired earthquake damage to the home.

The former owners had held the property at the time of the Canterbury quakes in 2010-11 and had claimed on their Vero policy.

Vero argues it has no liability and there is no residual policy entitlement that can be assigned.

Mr Roberts also claims Vero failed in its obligation to reinstate the property.

Vero does not appear to dispute there is unrepaired quake damage and deficiencies in the repairs done, Judge Lester says.

Under New Zealand law a company may only be represented in court by a lawyer, but a court has discretion to waive this and let someone such as a director fill the role.

Judge Lester notes Mr Roberts has not claimed he cannot afford a lawyer.

“This is a claim that would greatly benefit from early intervention from a specialist insurance lawyer to provide advice as to whether there is any tenable legal pathway to seek relief either against Vero or any of the other entities involved in the defective repair,” the judge said.

Read the judgment here.