Federation Barreaux d'Europe

When does AI-generated or AI-manipulated content become a deepfake?

In the second instalment of the FBE’s “Deep Fakes in the Courtroom” series, we move from definition to practical examples. A manipulated photograph, an altered video, synthetic voice cloning, an interactive avatar or a digitally recreated context may all qualify as deepfakes where the content is constructed or presented in a way that makes it appear authentic or truthful.

The crucial distinction is not merely technical. Not every piece of AI-generated content is a deepfake. Fantasy, satire, fiction and artistic creations generally remain outside this category when they are recognisable as such and do not purport to represent real facts, persons, statements or situations.

The key question is therefore whether the content may lead its recipient to believe that it represents something real. This distinction is particularly important for lawyers who may encounter synthetic or manipulated material as evidence, in client communications or in court proceedings.

Discover the second one-pager prepared by the FBE New Technologies Commission and follow the FBE’s social media channels for the next instalments of the series.

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A tradition of solidarity across generations of European lawyers

Since its foundation in 1992, the FBE has been built on solidarity and cooperation among lawyers across Europe.

Each year, former members of the FBE Presidency meet with the current Presidency, preserving the Federation’s institutional memory and strengthening the bonds between those who shaped the FBE and those who continue its mission today.

This year, this special tradition continues in Verona, with the meeting organised by Aldo Bulgarelli.

📸 Eugenio Gay Montalvo, Founder and First President of the FBE, together with Rajko Marić, current President of the FBE.

The FBE is proud to bring together generations of lawyers from across the wider European legal community, united by the same values and commitment to solidarity.

We wish everyone a fruitful meeting in Verona!

The Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe (FBE) expresses its grave concern over the situation of Chawki Tabib, former President of the Tunisian Bar Association, who was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment on 21 May 2026 and remains in detention pending his appeal.

His health is deteriorating as he continues a hunger strike in protest against the conditions of his detention and treatment.

The FBE stands in full solidarity with Chawki Tabib, his family, his defence lawyers and the Tunisian legal profession.
We call upon the Tunisian authorities to ensure his safeguard, his health and physical integrity, and fully respect his rights to due process, a fair trial and an effective defence.

Chawki, your message has been heard. We remain committed to pursuing your legitimate demands through every peaceful, legal and humane means available to us.

We therefore urge you to end your hunger strike. Your health and your life must not be the price of this protest. Allow us to continue this fight by your side, with you in full strength.

We stand with you, and we will continue to demand that your rights and dignity be respected.

IndependenceOfLawyers Tunisia

⏳ One month left to submit your entry for the FBE International LegalTech Competition 2026!

How can generative AI be used effectively in legal practice? How do we craft better prompts, combine them with legal reasoning, and navigate the ethical challenges of AI in the legal profession?

This year’s competition, organised by the FBE New Technologies Commission together with the FBE Intellectual Property Commission, focuses on “The Art of Legal Prompting.”

Participants will tackle practical legal case studies and use GenAI tools to develop solutions to real-world legal problems.

📅 Submission deadline: 13 September 2026
🏛️ Final: 19 November 2026, Verona Bar Association, Italy
👩‍⚖️ Open to lawyers, trainees and law students from FBE member countries.

If LegalTech, AI and the future of the legal profession interest you — why not give it a try?

👉 More information and submissions – https://www.fbe.org/fbe-international-legaltech-competition-2026/

Today, the FBE launches its new project: the “Deep Fakes in the Courtroom” series. We begin with the essential question: what exactly is a deepfake?

Since 2 August 2026, the transparency obligations laid down in Article 50 of the EU AI Act have applied, including obligations concerning the disclosure of certain AI-generated or manipulated content. This is an important development not only for technology providers and businesses, but also for legal professionals.

Lawyers may encounter deepfakes in various contexts: as potential evidence in court proceedings, in materials received from clients or opposing parties, in online communications, or when using AI-generated or AI-manipulated content in their own professional activities.

Understanding when particular content qualifies as a deepfake (and what legal consequences may follow) is therefore becoming an increasingly practical issue for the legal profession.
Before examining specific duties, risks and procedural challenges, however, we need to establish a common starting point. Not every piece of AI-generated content is necessarily a deepfake, and not every inaccurate or misleading statement falls within this concept. The legal qualification depends on the nature of the content, the role of AI in its generation or manipulation, its appearance of authenticity, and its capacity to mislead.

The first one-pager in the FBE series therefore introduces the concept of a deepfake and identifies its key elements. It is intended as a concise, practical foundation for the next publications, in which we will look more closely at the legal framework and at situations that lawyers may face both in the courtroom and in relations with clients.

Next week, we will address the next key question: when does AI-generated or AI-manipulated content become a deepfake?

Follow the FBE’s social media channels for the next instalment of the “Deep Fakes in the Courtroom” series, prepared by the FBE New Technologies Commission.

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2 August 2026 marks a major milestone in the application of the EU AI Act, including the application of the transparency obligations under Article 50 concerning deepfakes - AI-generated or manipulated content that resembles existing persons, objects, places, entities or events and would falsely appear to a person to be authentic or truthful.

To mark this date, the European Bars Federation is launching “Deep Fakes in the Courtroom” - a new series of practical one-pagers prepared for lawyers, specifically for litigators.

As deepfakes become increasingly sophisticated, protecting the authenticity of evidence and the integrity of judicial proceedings requires both legal awareness and practical preparedness. Therefore, the series will explain what qualifies as a deepfake, how deceptive synthetic content can be identified, which legal frameworks may apply, and what lawyers should consider when AI-generated or manipulated material appears in court proceedings.

New one-pagers will be released regularly, each addressing a specific legal or practical aspect of deepfakes in the courtroom.

Follow the FBE’s social media channels to discover the upcoming one-pagers and stay up to date with the activities of the FBE New Technologies Commission.

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🎤 Can your voice shape the future of the legal profession?

Applications are now open for the FBE Young Lawyers Human Rights Oratory Competition 2026.

📍 Cologne, Germany
📅 22 to 24 October 2026

This year’s topic:

“Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) is a 21st Century instrument of law. What does this mean for the future of the legal profession?”

Young lawyers, trainee lawyers and law students from FBE member bars and law societies are invited to participate.

🗓️ Applications via your FBE member bar or law society by 31 August 2026.

Find out more and access the Application Form on the FBE website.

🚀 Applications are now open for the International Legal Tech Competition 2026!

The FBE New Technologies Commission, in cooperation with the FBE Intellectual Property Commission, is delighted to launch the 2026 International Legal Tech Competition (ILTC).

This year’s theme, “The Art of Legal Prompting”, focuses on one of the most important emerging skills for legal professionals: using generative AI effectively, responsibly and ethically.

Participants will tackle practical legal case studies, demonstrating not only their legal knowledge and reasoning but also their ability to craft effective prompts and work with GenAI tools in a professional context.

The competition is open to lawyers, trainee lawyers and law students from FBE member bars and law societies.

📅 Application deadline: 13 September 2026

🏛️ Final round: 19 November 2026, Verona Bar Association, Italy

For full details, eligibility criteria and the ILTC 2026 Terms and Conditions, please visit the FBE website: https://www.fbe.org

We look forward to welcoming talented legal professionals and future lawyers who are ready to shape the future of legal practice through innovation and responsible use of AI.

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🏛️ Call for Hosting FBE Commissions (2026–2028)

The FBE Presidency has officially launched the call for applications from Member Bars wishing to host an FBE Commission for the next two year term, beginning after the General Assembly in Antalya on 17 October 2026.

Hosting an FBE Commission is an opportunity to take an active role in shaping the work of the Federation, strengthen international cooperation and contribute to addressing the key challenges facing the legal profession across Europe.

The call covers both existing commissions and several new commissions, including:

⚖️ Rule of Law
⚖️ Civil Law
⚖️ Criminal Law
⚖️ Business Law
⚖️ Labour Law
⚖️ Migration
⚖️ Environmental Law
⚖️ Convention on the Protection of the Legal Profession

Member Bars interested in hosting a commission are invited to submit their application to the FBE Commissions Secretariat by 10 October 2026. Applications should include the proposed commission, a work programme for the upcoming two year period and confirmation that the Bar will host and support the commission in accordance with the FBE Statutes.

Further information, together with the full list of commissions and application requirements, is available at www.fbe.org.

We encourage all Member Bars to take this opportunity to contribute to the future development of the European legal profession.

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The June issue of the FBE Bulletin features an interview with Professor İbrahim Ö. Kaboğlu, Dean of the Istanbul Bar Association.

In this insightful conversation, Professor Kaboğlu discusses the role of the Istanbul Bar Association in defending the rule of law, protecting fundamental rights and safeguarding the independence of the legal profession. He also reflects on the proceedings brought against the Bar’s leadership and the broader challenges facing lawyers in Türkiye.

The interview is a powerful reminder that the independence of lawyers is an essential pillar of the rule of law and that international solidarity among bar associations is more important than ever.

Throughout these challenging times, the FBE has stood firmly alongside the Istanbul Bar Association. FBE representatives have attended hearings concerning the Bar’s leadership and lawyers facing prosecution, demonstrating our shared commitment to judicial independence, fundamental rights and the independence of the legal profession.

We warmly encourage you to read this important interview.

The full interview is available in the June issue of the FBE Bulletin on the ⁠FBE website and can be accessed directly here: ⁠FBE Bulletin No. 3/2026 (PDF).

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