Updated Oct 202660 copy-paste prompts · with review guardrails

50+ AI Prompts for Legal Drafting (2026)

Quick answer: good AI prompts for legal drafting give the tool the jurisdiction, your client’s side, the agreed facts and the output format, and tell it to flag assumptions instead of inventing them. Below are 60 copy-ready prompts for contracts, clauses, redlines, NDAs, employment, notices, research, case summaries, due diligence, DPDP compliance, client emails, court formatting and translation.

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Not legal advice · a qualified lawyer must review every output
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Keep privileged data out of consumer tools · use business plans with suitable data terms
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Verify every citation · AI can invent case law that looks real

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Read this first

Three rules before you use AI for legal drafting

These prompts help lawyers, legal teams, paralegals and law students work faster. They do not replace legal judgement, and the risks are real: confidential data can leak, and AI can produce authorities that do not exist.

1. Not legal advice

Nothing on this page, and nothing an AI tool produces from these prompts, is legal advice. A qualified lawyer must review every draft before it is signed, sent, filed or relied on, and must take responsibility for it.

If you are not a lawyer, use these prompts to prepare for a conversation with one, not to replace it.

2. Protect confidentiality

Do not paste privileged or client-confidential material into consumer AI accounts. Use a business or enterprise plan whose data terms your firm has reviewed, anonymise where you can, and follow client instructions and your professional rules.

Data-use terms change, so check the vendor’s official pages, for example OpenAI enterprise privacy and Anthropic’s model-training FAQ.

3. Verify every citation

AI tools can invent case names, citations, paragraph numbers and quotations that look entirely real. Find and read every authority in a reliable database or on the official court website before you cite it.

Courts in several countries have criticised or sanctioned lawyers for filing citations that turned out not to exist.

How to use them

How to use these legal drafting prompts

Copy a prompt, replace every [bracket] with the real details of your matter, and paste it into an approved AI tool. Start each matter with the matter brief below, ask for one task at a time, and review the output as you would a junior’s first draft: line by line, against the source documents and the law.

The 6-part legal prompt formula

Every prompt on this page follows this pattern. Use it to write your own.

Role

“Act as a commercial contracts lawyer in India acting for the buyer.”

Jurisdiction

Governing law and forum. Without it, you get a generic, often US-flavoured draft.

Facts

Paste the agreed terms, documents or correspondence. Never let it guess facts.

Task

One task at a time: draft, review, compare, summarise or explain.

Format

Table, numbered clauses, a redline list, a one-page memo, an email.

Limits

“Flag assumptions in [brackets]. Do not cite cases. List what a lawyer must check.”

Jump to a prompt group

Contract first drafts1–5
Clause libraries6–10
Redlining and comparison11–15
NDAs16–19
Employment20–24
Notices and replies25–29
Legal research outlines30–34
Case summaries35–38
Due diligence checklists39–43
Compliance memos44–48
Client emails in plain language49–52
Court document formatting checks53–56
Translation57–60

Set up first

Start each matter with a matter brief

The brief tells the tool who you act for, which law applies and what it must never do. Paste it at the start of the chat, or keep it in a project on an approved business plan. It is not counted in the 60.

Matter brief (paste this first)

When to use: At the start of every new matter or chat.

You are assisting a [lawyer / legal team] at [firm or company]. For this chat: we act for [client, role, e.g. the buyer]. Governing law: [law]. Forum: [court / arbitration seat]. House style: [British / Indian English], [defined-term style], clause numbering [1.1 / (a)]. Rules: do not invent facts, parties, dates, amounts, statutes or cases; put every assumption in [square brackets]; do not cite case law unless I paste it; list what a lawyer must verify at the end of every answer. Client names are replaced with [Client A] and [Counterparty B]. Reply “Ready” and wait for my first task.

Make the brief safe and useful

Use code names for clients and counterparties unless your approved tool and engagement terms allow real names
Paste your firm’s style rules once, not in every prompt
Keep one brief per matter so instructions do not bleed between clients
Save outputs only in your document management system, not in chat history
Record that AI assisted, if your firm’s policy or the client requires it

Prompts 1–5 · Contract first drafts

AI prompts for contract first drafts

AI is fastest at the blank page: a structured first draft from your term sheet that a lawyer then shapes. Always give it the governing law and the agreed commercial terms, and never treat the output as final.

1Draft from a term sheet

When to use: The commercial terms are agreed and you need a first draft.

Act as a commercial contracts lawyer in [jurisdiction]. Draft a first draft of a [type of agreement] between [Party A, role] and [Party B, role] using only these agreed terms: [paste term sheet]. Governing law: [law]. Include standard clauses for definitions, scope, fees and payment, term and termination, confidentiality, IP, liability caps, indemnities, dispute resolution and notices. Mark every assumption you make in [square brackets] and list the open points for me at the end.

2Draft a service agreement

When to use: Engaging a vendor or contractor for services.

Draft a services agreement for [description of services] where my client is the [customer / service provider]. Make it [balanced / favourable to my client]. Include a statement-of-work schedule, acceptance criteria, service levels for [metrics], payment milestones and a change-request process. Governing law: [law]. Flag clauses where the other side is likely to push back.

3Draft a simple consultancy agreement

When to use: Hiring an independent consultant or freelancer.

Draft a consultancy agreement for [consultant] providing [services] to [company] for [duration] at [fee]. Cover deliverables, IP assignment on payment, confidentiality, independent-contractor status, non-solicitation of employees, and termination with [notice period]. Governing law: [law]. Keep the language plain and the agreement under [number] pages.

4Build an MOU or letter of intent

When to use: Recording intent before a definitive agreement.

Draft a memorandum of understanding between [parties] about [proposed deal]. State clearly which clauses are binding (confidentiality, exclusivity for [period], costs, governing law) and which are not. Use these points: [paste]. Add a short cover note explaining the binding/non-binding split in plain English.

5Adapt a precedent to new facts

When to use: You have an approved template and a new matter.

Here is our approved precedent: [paste template]. Adapt it for this new matter: [paste facts]. Change only what the facts require, show every change in a list with the clause number and reason, and do not alter boilerplate unless I ask.

Prompts 6–10 · Clause libraries

Prompts to build a clause library

A clause library saves more time than any single draft. Use these prompts to create alternative positions your team can reuse, then have a senior lawyer approve each version before it goes into the library.

6Three positions for one clause

When to use: Preparing for a negotiation.

For a [type of agreement] governed by [law], draft three versions of a [limitation of liability / indemnity / termination] clause: one favourable to the [buyer], one balanced, and one favourable to the [seller]. Under each, explain in two lines the risk it allocates and when we would accept it.

7Clause with a drafting note

When to use: Building a firm or in-house clause library.

Draft a [force majeure / assignment / non-compete] clause for [context] under [law]. Add a drafting note for junior lawyers covering: what the clause does, common negotiation points, local-law issues to check, and mistakes to avoid. Mark any legal point I must verify against current law.

8Fallback clauses

When to use: The other side rejects your first position.

Our standard [clause name] is: [paste]. The counterparty has rejected it because [reason]. Suggest two fallback versions, from least to most concession, and a one-line justification for each that I could use in a negotiation email.

9Definitions section

When to use: Long agreements with inconsistent defined terms.

Review these definitions and the clauses that use them: [paste]. List defined terms that are unused, used but not defined, defined twice or used inconsistently. Propose a clean definitions section in alphabetical order.

10Boilerplate check

When to use: Final pass before sending a draft.

Check this agreement for missing or weak boilerplate: [paste]. Look for entire agreement, severability, waiver, counterparts, notices, assignment, amendments, governing law and dispute resolution. Output a table: clause, present or missing, issue, suggested wording.

Prompts 11–15 · Redlining and comparison

Prompts for contract review, redlining and comparison

AI can read a long contract quickly and point you to the clauses that matter. It does not replace a lawyer’s judgement on risk. Paste only what your confidentiality rules and tool terms allow.

11First-pass risk review

When to use: A counterparty’s paper arrives and you need a quick view.

Act as a [jurisdiction] lawyer for [my client, role]. Review this agreement: [paste]. Produce a table with: clause number, what it says in one line, risk to my client (high / medium / low), why, and a suggested change. Do not give a final opinion; flag where a lawyer must decide.

12Compare against our playbook

When to use: Reviewing contracts against approved positions.

Here is our negotiation playbook: [paste positions]. Here is the counterparty’s draft: [paste]. For each playbook item, say whether the draft complies, deviates or is silent, quote the clause, and propose redline wording that matches our position.

13Compare two versions

When to use: Checking what changed between drafts.

Compare version A [paste] with version B [paste]. List every substantive change by clause number: what changed, who it favours, and whether it needs discussion. Ignore pure formatting changes, but list them separately at the end.

14Suggest redlines with reasons

When to use: Preparing a marked-up draft for the other side.

For clauses [numbers] in this agreement [paste], suggest redlines that protect [my client] while staying commercially reasonable. Show original text, proposed text and a short explanatory comment I could leave in the margin for the counterparty.

15Summarise a contract for the business

When to use: A business stakeholder needs the gist.

Summarise this contract for a non-lawyer [role, e.g. sales head] in under 300 words: parties, what each must do, money, key dates, renewal and termination, liability and anything unusual. End with three questions they should ask legal.

Prompts 16–19 · NDAs

Prompts for NDAs and confidentiality agreements

NDAs are the most common first use of AI in legal teams because they are short and repetitive. The prompts below still keep a lawyer in the loop.

16Mutual NDA from scratch

When to use: Two parties exploring a deal.

Draft a mutual non-disclosure agreement between [Party A] and [Party B] for discussions about [purpose]. Governing law: [law]. Include definition and exclusions of confidential information, permitted use, permitted disclosures (advisers, legal compulsion), return or destruction, term of [years], no licence, remedies and no obligation to proceed.

17Review an incoming NDA

When to use: The other side sends its own NDA.

Review this NDA from the perspective of [my client, disclosing / receiving / both]: [paste]. Flag one-sided terms, unusually long or perpetual obligations, missing exclusions, non-solicit or non-compete clauses hidden inside, and governing-law or jurisdiction issues. Give suggested edits in a table.

18One-way NDA for a vendor

When to use: Sharing information with a supplier.

Draft a one-way NDA where [company] discloses information to [vendor] for [purpose]. Add obligations on the vendor’s employees and subcontractors, a security standard for [type of data], prompt notice of any breach, and the right to audit compliance.

19NDA cover note

When to use: Sending an NDA to a business contact.

Write a short, friendly email to [name] at [company] attaching our NDA for [purpose]. Explain in plain language what it covers and how long it lasts, and ask them to send any comments by [date]. Do not describe anything as “standard” if it is not.

Prompts 20–24 · Employment

Prompts for employment documents and HR policies

Employment documents must follow the law of the place the employee works. Use AI for structure and plain language, and have a lawyer confirm every statutory point.

20Offer letter and appointment terms

When to use: Hiring a new employee.

Draft an appointment letter for [role] at [company] in [city, state, country]. Include designation, reporting, place of work, compensation as given here [paste], probation of [period], working hours, leave as per company policy, notice period, confidentiality and IP, and termination. Flag any term that may conflict with local labour law for me to check.

21Employment policy in plain English

When to use: Writing or refreshing an HR policy.

Draft a [remote work / leave / code of conduct / social media] policy for [company] with [number] employees in [locations]. Keep it in plain English, include a purpose, scope, rules, process, and consequences. List the statutes or regulations a lawyer should check for each location.

22Restrictive covenants review

When to use: Reviewing non-compete and non-solicit terms.

Review these restrictive covenants: [paste]. Explain in plain language what they restrict, for how long and where. Note that enforceability depends on local law, and list the questions a lawyer in [jurisdiction] should answer before we rely on them.

23Termination letter

When to use: Ending employment after a decided process.

Draft a neutral, respectful termination letter for [employee role] effective [date], following this completed process: [summary]. State final dues to be settled as per [policy], return of company property, continuing confidentiality, and the HR contact. Avoid language that admits liability or gives reasons beyond what I provide.

24Internal investigation outline

When to use: Planning a workplace investigation.

Create an outline for an internal investigation into [type of complaint] at [company]: scope, investigator, interview plan, document collection, confidentiality, timeline, and report structure. Mark the steps where legal advice is needed, including any statutory committee requirements in [jurisdiction].

Prompts 25–29 · Notices and replies

Prompts for legal notices and replies

Notices carry consequences. Use AI to organise facts and draft clean language, and have the advocate on record settle the final text, the legal provisions cited and the time limits.

25Legal notice for unpaid dues

When to use: Recovering money owed under a contract or invoice.

Draft a legal notice on behalf of [client] to [recipient] for non-payment of [amount] under [contract / invoices, with dates]. Set out the facts in numbered paragraphs, the demand, a deadline of [days], and the action the client may take. Leave statutory references in [brackets] for the advocate to confirm.

26Reply to a legal notice

When to use: Your client has received a notice.

Here is the notice my client received: [paste]. Here are my client’s facts and documents: [paste]. Draft a reply that responds to each paragraph (admitted, denied, not admitted), sets out my client’s version, and reserves all rights. Do not admit anything my facts do not support.

27Breach of contract notice

When to use: The other party has breached a term.

Draft a notice of breach under clause [number] of the [agreement] dated [date]. Describe the breach with dates, quote the clause, state the cure period under the contract of [days], and the consequence if not cured. Use the notice provisions in the contract: [paste notice clause].

28Cease and desist

When to use: Someone is using your client’s IP or content.

Draft a firm but professional cease and desist letter for [client] regarding [infringing use] of [trademark / copyright / design] by [party]. Include the client’s rights with registration details [paste], the infringing acts, demands with a deadline, and a reservation of rights. Keep the tone measured; no threats we cannot carry out.

29Timeline from correspondence

When to use: Before drafting any notice.

Read this correspondence: [paste emails and letters]. Build a dated timeline of facts, who said what, amounts and promises. Separate facts that are documented from statements that are only alleged.

Prompts 30–34 · Legal research outlines

Prompts for legal research outlines

Use AI to structure research, not to finish it. It can invent cases, citations and quotations that look real, so every authority must be found and read in a reliable database before anyone relies on it.

30Research plan for an issue

When to use: Starting research on a new question.

I need to research this question under [jurisdiction] law: [question]. Create a research plan: the legal issues and sub-issues, the statutes and regulations to check, search terms for databases, and the kinds of authorities to look for. Do not cite any case; I will find them myself.

31Issue spotting from facts

When to use: Early case assessment.

Here are the facts of a matter: [paste]. Spot the legal issues a [jurisdiction] lawyer would consider for [client]. For each, give the question to research, why it matters, and the facts that are missing.

32Explain a statute section

When to use: Getting oriented in an unfamiliar provision.

I have pasted the text of [section, Act] below: [paste official text]. Explain it in plain language, break it into elements, and list questions about how courts may have interpreted each element. Base your explanation only on the text I pasted.

33Argument structure

When to use: Preparing written submissions.

Using only these authorities that I have verified: [paste citations and key holdings], structure an argument for [proposition] in [forum]. Give headings, the order of points, and where each authority supports the argument. Do not add any authority I have not given you.

34Counter-argument check

When to use: Stress-testing your position.

Here is our argument: [paste]. Act as opposing counsel. List the strongest counter-arguments, the facts they would rely on, and the types of authority they would look for. Then suggest how we might respond.

Prompts 35–38 · Case summaries

Prompts for case summaries and judgment notes

Summaries are only as good as the judgment you paste. Always work from the full official text, and check that quotations and paragraph numbers match the source.

35Structured judgment summary

When to use: Reading a long judgment.

Summarise this judgment: [paste full text]. Use headings: court and bench, date, parties, facts, issues, arguments, holding, reasoning, and orders. Quote paragraph numbers for every key point so I can check them against the original.

36Ratio and obiter

When to use: Preparing for a hearing or note.

From this judgment [paste], identify what appears to be the ratio and what appears to be obiter, with paragraph references. Explain your reasoning briefly and note where lawyers might disagree.

37Client-friendly case note

When to use: Explaining a judgment to a client.

Write a one-page note for [client type] explaining what this judgment means for them: [paste judgment or my summary]. Plain English, no Latin, and a short “what you should do now” section that I will review.

38Compare two judgments

When to use: Conflicting or related decisions.

Compare these two judgments: [paste A] and [paste B]. Set out facts, issue, outcome and reasoning side by side, and explain where they agree, where they differ, and possible reasons. Use paragraph references for both.

Prompts 39–43 · Due diligence checklists

Prompts for due diligence checklists and reports

AI is useful for building checklists and organising findings. Data-room documents are usually confidential, so check what your tool and engagement terms allow before uploading anything.

39Due diligence checklist

When to use: Starting a transaction.

Create a legal due diligence checklist for [acquisition / investment] of a [type of company] in [jurisdiction] in the [sector] sector. Group items by corporate, contracts, employment, IP, data protection, litigation, regulatory and tax, and mark items that are usually high priority.

40Information request list

When to use: Asking the target for documents.

Turn this checklist [paste] into a polite, numbered information request list for the target’s management, with a column for “document provided” and “comments”. Remove duplicates.

41Contract findings table

When to use: Reviewing material contracts in a data room.

For each of these contract extracts [paste], record in a table: parties, date, term, change-of-control clause, assignment restrictions, exclusivity, termination rights, liability caps and unusual terms. Quote the clause number for every entry.

42Red-flag summary

When to use: Reporting to the client or deal team.

Here are our diligence findings: [paste]. Draft a red-flag summary: issue, risk level, why it matters to the deal, and suggested protection (price adjustment, indemnity, condition precedent, or specific warranty).

43Disclosure letter cross-check

When to use: Near signing.

Compare these warranties [paste] with this disclosure letter [paste]. List warranties with no disclosure, disclosures that are too general to be effective, and disclosures that do not match any warranty.

Prompts 44–48 · Compliance memos

Compliance memo prompts, including India's DPDP Act

India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the DPDP Rules notified in November 2025 are being brought into force in phases. Use these prompts to organise the work, and check every obligation and date against the official text and your counsel’s advice.

44DPDP gap analysis outline

When to use: Mapping a business against India’s DPDP Act.

I advise [company], which processes personal data of [customers / employees] in India for [purposes]. Create an outline for a gap analysis against the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the DPDP Rules: notice and consent, purposes, data-principal rights, children’s data, security safeguards, breach notification, retention and processors. Mark each item “verify against current text” and do not state deadlines.

45Data map template

When to use: Before any privacy review.

Create a data-mapping template for [company] with columns: data category, source, purpose, legal basis or consent, systems, who has access, processors, cross-border transfer, retention and deletion. Fill in example rows for [department] that I will replace with real information.

46Privacy notice in plain language

When to use: Drafting a notice for users or employees.

Draft a privacy notice for [app / website / employees] of [company] in plain English: what personal data we collect, why, how long we keep it, who we share it with, how people can exercise their rights and contact us. Use only these facts: [paste]. Flag anything a lawyer must confirm under India’s DPDP Act or other applicable law.

47Compliance memo to management

When to use: Explaining a new law or regulation.

Write a two-page memo to [management / board] on what [regulation] means for [company]: who it applies to, key obligations, what we already do, gaps, recommended actions with owners, and risks of non-compliance. Base it only on this source material: [paste official text or counsel’s note].

48AI use policy for the legal team

When to use: Before the team uses AI tools on matters.

Draft an internal policy for [firm / legal department] on using generative AI: approved tools and plans, what data may never be entered, client consent where required, verification of every citation and fact, human review before anything leaves the team, and record-keeping. Keep it to one page.

Prompts 49–52 · Client emails in plain language

Prompts for client emails in plain language

Clients rarely want the law; they want to know what it means for them and what to do next. These prompts turn your advice into clear emails that you then check and send.

49Advice email from your notes

When to use: After a call or meeting.

Turn my rough advice notes into a clear email to [client name, role]: [paste notes]. Start with the answer, then the reasons, then options with pros and cons, then next steps and deadlines. Plain English, short paragraphs, no legal jargon unless I used it.

50Explain a clause to a client

When to use: A client asks “what does this mean?”.

Explain clause [number] of this agreement to a non-lawyer client in under 150 words: [paste clause]. Use an everyday example from their business, [type of business], and say what could go wrong for them.

51Status update

When to use: Keeping a client informed on a matter.

Write a short matter update for [client] on [matter]: what happened since [date], what is next, what we need from them by [date], and any cost implications. Use these facts: [paste]. Warm but professional tone.

52Bad-news email

When to use: Communicating an adverse outcome or risk.

Draft an email telling [client] that [adverse development]. Be honest and calm, explain what it means, set out the options and our recommendation, and offer a call. Do not speculate beyond these facts: [paste].

Prompts 53–56 · Court document formatting checks

Prompts for court document formatting checks

Every court and tribunal has its own rules on format, pagination, indexing and filing. Paste the relevant rules or practice directions so the AI checks against them, not against a generic idea of a pleading.

53Format check against court rules

When to use: Before filing a pleading or application.

Here are the formatting and filing rules for [court]: [paste rules or practice direction]. Here is my draft: [paste]. Check it against the rules and list every deviation: margins, font, line spacing, paragraph numbering, page numbering, cause title, verification and index. Do not change the substance.

54Index and list of dates

When to use: Preparing a paper book.

From these documents and dates [paste], prepare a list of dates and events in chronological order and an index of documents with annexure numbers and page references in the format [paste sample].

55Consistency and cross-reference check

When to use: Final proofread of a long pleading.

Check this draft for consistency: [paste]. List mismatched names, dates, amounts, defined terms, annexure references, paragraph cross-references and prayer clauses that do not match the body. Present them as a numbered list with locations.

56Old law references check

When to use: Drafts based on older templates.

List every statutory reference in this draft: [paste]. Flag references that may be outdated, for example IPC, CrPC or Indian Evidence Act sections that may need updating to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita or Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, which came into force on 1 July 2024. Do not supply the new section numbers; I will check them in the official text.

Prompts 57–60 · Translation

Prompts for legal translation drafts

AI translation is a useful working draft for understanding a document. For anything filed, signed or relied on, use a qualified translator and any certification the court or authority requires.

57Working translation with flags

When to use: You receive a document in another language.

Translate this [language] document into English for internal understanding only: [paste]. Keep the structure and numbering. Put any term with no exact English equivalent in [brackets] with the original word, and list phrases where the meaning is uncertain.

58Plain bilingual summary for a client

When to use: A client prefers another language.

Summarise this English legal document for a client who prefers [Hindi / Marathi / Arabic / other language]: [paste]. Give a short summary in English, then the same summary in [language]. Keep legal terms in English in brackets where helpful, and remind the client the English version governs.

59Glossary for a matter

When to use: A matter with documents in two languages.

Build a bilingual glossary of the key legal and technical terms in these documents: [paste]. Columns: term in [language A], term in [language B], meaning in context, and notes on any term that is used inconsistently.

60Back-translation check

When to use: Checking a translation someone else prepared.

Here is the original [paste] and the translation [paste]. Back-translate the translation into the original language and list every place where the meaning has shifted, been added or been lost. Do not rewrite the translation yourself.

Before and after

Weak prompt vs strong prompt: 3 legal examples

Specific prompts give safer, more useful first drafts. These are illustrative examples, not real matters.

Reviewing an incoming NDA

Before

Check this NDA.

After

Act as an Indian commercial lawyer for [Client A], the receiving party. Review this mutual NDA: [paste]. Produce a table: clause, what it says, risk to Client A (high / medium / low), suggested edit. Flag any non-compete or non-solicit, perpetual obligations and missing standard exclusions. Do not give a final opinion.

What changes: “Check this” returns a vague paragraph saying the NDA “looks standard”. The specific prompt returns a clause-by-clause table from your client’s side that a lawyer can review in minutes.

Drafting a payment notice

Before

Write a legal notice for non-payment.

After

Draft a legal notice for [Client A] to [Counterparty B] for unpaid invoices [numbers, dates, amounts] under the services agreement dated [date]. Numbered paragraphs: facts, contract terms (quote clause [x]), demand, 15-day deadline, consequences. Leave all statutory references in [brackets] for the advocate.

What changes: The short prompt produces a generic notice with invented amounts and possibly wrong statutes. The structured prompt keeps the facts exact and leaves the legal provisions for the advocate to settle.

Researching an issue

Before

Give me case law on termination for convenience in India.

After

Create a research plan on whether a termination-for-convenience clause in a commercial contract governed by Indian law can be challenged, and on what grounds. List issues, statutes to check and database search terms. Do not cite any case.

What changes: Asking for “case law” invites plausible-looking citations that may not exist. The plan-first prompt gets structure from the AI and leaves the authorities to be found and read in a reliable database.

For legal teams

Want your legal team using AI safely, on its own work?

Hitesh runs hands-on generative AI workshops for law firms and in-house legal teams. Your team works on its own precedents, playbooks and (sanitised) matters in the tools your firm has approved, and leaves with saved prompts, a verification checklist and clear data rules.

Built around your practice areas, approval process and confidentiality rules
Covers ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot or Gemini, on the plans you license
Live online, or onsite in India and the UAE
Prefer to talk first? Book a free 30-minute call

See the programme: generative AI training for legal teams · in the UAE, AI training for legal teams in Dubai.

Worked example

An incoming NDA, start to finish

Here is how the prompts fit together on one everyday task. It is the kind of workflow Hitesh’s workshops build with legal teams: the AI does the first pass, and a lawyer makes every decision. Prompt numbers link to the library above.

Step	Who	What happens	Prompts to use
1. Check the rules	Lawyer	Confirm the tool is approved for this client and what data may be used; replace names with code names	#48 (team AI policy)
2. First-pass review	AI, then lawyer	Clause-by-clause risk table from your client’s side	#17
3. Playbook check	AI, then lawyer	Compare the draft with your approved positions	#12
4. Redlines	AI drafts, lawyer decides	Proposed wording with margin comments for the counterparty	#14, #8
5. Legal judgement	Lawyer	Read the whole document against the source; settle every change; check any law referred to	Your own judgement
6. Send	AI drafts, lawyer sends	A short covering email in plain English	#19, #50

The same pattern works for service agreements, vendor contracts and employment documents: brief, first pass, playbook, redlines, lawyer review, cover email.

Confidentiality and accuracy

Using AI on legal work without the risks

Most problems with AI in legal work come from two places: data going where it should not, and outputs being trusted without checking. Both are solvable with simple habits.

Confidentiality and privilege

Consumer vs business plans: vendors treat data differently on consumer and business plans. For example, OpenAI says it does not train on business data by default, and Anthropic says it does not use inputs from its commercial products for training by default. Consumer settings differ, so read the current terms for your plan
Read the contract, not just the marketing page: retention periods, sub-processors and where data is stored are in the business terms and data processing agreement
Anonymise: replace names, addresses, account numbers and identifying facts with placeholders where the task allows
Client instructions first: some clients prohibit AI tools on their matters, or require consent
Personal data: in India, processing personal data can bring obligations under the DPDP Act; take advice on how it applies to your use

Verification checklist

Every authority: find the judgment in a reliable database or on the court’s website, read the relevant paragraphs, and check the citation, court, date and quotation
Every statute: check the current official text, including amendments. In India, criminal-law references may need updating: the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam came into force on 1 July 2024
Every fact: names, dates, amounts and defined terms must match the source documents
Every assumption: resolve each [bracket] the AI leaves; never delete one without checking it
Final read: a lawyer reads the whole document, not only the changed parts

Tool tips

ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini: which suits legal work?

All three can run every prompt here. For legal work the deciding factors are the plan’s data terms, what your firm has approved, and how well the tool handles long documents. Features vary by plan and change often; check the vendor’s help pages.

ChatGPT

Use a business or enterprise workspace your firm has approved, not a personal account
Keep one ChatGPT Project per matter so instructions and files stay separate
Ask for tables and clause numbers so review is quick

Claude

Strong at reading long contracts and judgments you paste or upload
Projects can hold your playbook and style guide for a team
Ask it to quote clause numbers for every point so you can check against the source

Gemini

Convenient if your firm works in Google Workspace and has approved Gemini on its plan
A Gemini Gem can store your matter-brief rules for repeat tasks
Useful for turning notes in Docs into structured drafts

Whatever the tool, the rules above apply. For a structured route into these tools, see the AI learning path for professionals or 1-to-1 ChatGPT coaching.

Avoid these

8 mistakes lawyers make with AI drafting

Mistakes in the prompt

No jurisdiction. You get a generic draft that may follow another country’s law
No side. Without “we act for the buyer”, the draft drifts to the middle or the wrong way
Asking for case law. Ask for a research plan instead and find the authorities yourself
Too many tasks at once. Drafting, reviewing and summarising in one prompt produces shallow work

Mistakes after the answer

Filing unverified citations. The most serious and most avoidable error
Pasting privileged material into a personal account. Check the plan and the client’s instructions first
Deleting brackets without checking. Each [bracket] is an assumption that needs a decision
Copying old statute references. Templates and AI outputs may cite repealed provisions

Trained	200,000+ professionals across 16+ countries
Clients include	Google, Microsoft & Tata Group
Expertise	LLMs, AI agents, prompt engineering & automation
Leaders	AI training for founders & CXOs
Author	Generative AI 360°
Faculty	Visiting faculty, K J Somaiya Institute of Management

About the author

Written by Hitesh Motwani, AI trainer for professional teams

Hitesh Motwani is an AI trainer and the author of Generative AI 360°. He has trained 200,000+ professionals across 16+ countries, with corporate clients including Google, Microsoft and Tata Group, and focuses on LLMs, AI agents, prompt engineering and automation. He is not a lawyer, and this page is not legal advice; the prompts are written to keep lawyers in control.

His sessions rest on one idea: AI pays off only when people use it on the work they already do. Legal teams bring their own precedents, playbooks and sanitised matters, and leave with prompts, checklists and data rules they use the next morning. Across a team, that saved time compounds, so matters move faster without cutting corners on review.

★★★★★

“Hitesh’s Claude AI session was the most practical AI training our leadership team has attended. They walked out with actual workflows they could use the next morning, not just slides.”

CEO, Tata Group subsidiary, Mumbai

★★★★★

“He made sure that every platform he spoke about was taught in detail with live examples. Hitesh has an eye for detail, very helpful and patient with everybody.”

Hetal Parekh, workshop participant

Programmes: AI training for legal teams · legal teams in Dubai · Claude AI course

FAQ

AI prompts for legal drafting: questions answered

What are the best AI prompts for legal drafting?

The best ones state the jurisdiction, which side you act for, the agreed facts and the output format, and tell the AI to flag assumptions instead of inventing them. Start with the matter brief on this page, then use the contract, redlining and notice prompts, which cover most day-to-day drafting.

Can AI draft a legally valid contract?

AI can produce a useful first draft, but whether a contract is valid and enforceable depends on the law and the facts, and that judgement belongs to a qualified lawyer. Treat every AI draft as a starting point that a lawyer reviews, corrects and takes responsibility for. This page is not legal advice.

Is it safe to paste client documents into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini?

Not into consumer accounts. Use a business or enterprise plan your firm has approved, after checking its data-use terms on the vendor’s official pages, anonymise where possible, and follow client instructions and your professional rules. Some clients prohibit AI tools on their matters.

Can AI make up case law?

Yes. AI tools can produce case names, citations and quotations that look real but do not exist, and courts in several countries have criticised or sanctioned lawyers who filed them. Use AI for research plans and structure, and find and read every authority yourself in a reliable database.

Which AI tool is best for lawyers?

The one your firm has approved on a plan with suitable data terms. ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini can all run these prompts; Claude and ChatGPT handle long documents well, and Gemini suits teams in Google Workspace. Dedicated legal AI products also exist; evaluate them on data terms, sources and accuracy.

Can AI review a contract?

It can do a fast first pass: summarising clauses, flagging risks from your client’s side and comparing a draft with your playbook. It can miss issues and misread context, so a lawyer must still read the whole contract and decide every point.

How does India's DPDP Act affect using AI on client data?

If you process personal data, such as names or contact details of individuals, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and the DPDP Rules may apply, and they are being brought into force in phases. Minimise and anonymise personal data, use tools with suitable data terms, and take specific advice on your obligations.

Do these prompts work for Indian law?

Yes. Replace [jurisdiction] and [law] with Indian law and the relevant forum, and paste the official text of any statute you want the AI to work from. Check statutory references carefully; for example, criminal-law references may need updating to the BNS, BNSS and BSA, in force since 1 July 2024.

Can law students use these prompts?

Yes, to learn: structure research, practise drafting and check your own work. Follow your college’s rules on AI use, never submit AI output as your own work where that is not allowed, and verify every authority. The aim is to build your skill, not to skip it.

Can AI translate legal documents?

It can give a working translation to help you understand a document. For anything filed, signed or relied on, use a qualified translator and any certification the court or authority requires.

Should I tell clients I use AI?

Follow your engagement terms, your client’s instructions and your professional rules. Many firms disclose their AI policy in engagement letters. Whatever you decide, the lawyer remains responsible for the work.

Are these legal prompts free to use?

Yes. Copy and adapt them for your firm or team. Add your own playbook positions and style rules to get better first drafts.

Can my legal team get trained on this?

Yes. Hitesh runs hands-on workshops where legal teams build these workflows on their own precedents, with clear data rules and a verification checklist, live online or onsite. Use the enquiry form on this page or book a free call.

Next step

Want your legal team faster on first drafts, with review built in?

Book a short call: your practice areas, the tools your firm allows and the drafting tasks that take up the week. You get a workshop plan built around that real work, online or onsite.

200,000+ professionals trained · 16+ countries · 4.8★ average session rating

Pick a time for a free call

Choose a slot that suits you. The call is free and there is no obligation.

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Enquire

Send an enquiry

Tell us whether this is for you, your legal team or your firm, which tools you are allowed to use and what you want AI to help with. Every enquiry gets a personal reply. Please do not include confidential client details.

hitesh@skillopediagroup.com · +91 98924 14313

AI for legal teams · legal teams in Dubai · 1-to-1 ChatGPT coaching