Citation verification means opening each cited authority and confirming three things: that it exists, that the quoted language appears as represented, and that the case or record actually stands for the point asserted.
The third check is the one most often skipped, because a real case cited for a proposition it does not support passes a superficial existence check.
Alternative Names:
Cite Checking, Authority Verification
Why it Matters?
Every sanctions order involving AI traces back to skipped verification. The failure mode has evolved: outright fabrications are now easier to catch, while real authorities cited for propositions they do not support are subtler and equally damaging. Systems producing pinpoint citations make the check fast; the professional obligation to perform it does not change either way.
Frequently Confused with
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What are the three checks in citation verification?
Which check is most often missed?
