Artificial intelligence is transforming the way lawyers draft documents. But the quality of an AI-generated contract largely depends on how the prompt is formulated. In this guide, you will learn how to create the best prompt to write a legal contract, understanding its key elements, advanced techniques, and common mistakes to avoid.
A legal prompt is a specific instruction given to an AI to draft a contract with legal accuracy.
Unlike a general prompt, a legal prompt:
Includes legal and jurisdictional context.
Specifies mandatory clauses.
Indicates tone, format, and the parties involved.
Mastering this skill is crucial for modern lawyers seeking to save time without sacrificing legal precision.
A good prompt should include the following elements:
Define the contract, the industry, and the objective.
Examples:
Type of contract: Services, sales, lease
Sector: Technology, real estate, retail
Purpose: Data protection, property transfer
The validity of the contract depends on the jurisdiction.
Example: “Draft a service agreement in Mexico under the Federal Labor Law.”
Include who is signing and ask the AI to act as a specialist in labor, commercial, or another branch of law.
Some common ones:
Purpose of the contract
Terms and conditions
Duties and responsibilities
Confidentiality
Termination of the contract
Explicitly request that the document be formal, clear, and organized in sections (numbered clauses, lists, or paragraphs).
A single, complete prompt. Useful for standard contracts.
Includes examples of clauses or excerpts to guide style and structure.
Break the contract into logical steps: first definitions, then clauses, then annexes.
Modular construction: first the purpose, then responsibilities, then payment terms.
Generate a version, review it, adjust the prompt, and re-run until achieving precision.
Example: service agreement in the tech sector.
Before writing the prompt, make a checklist of essential sections.
Zero shot for basic needs, layering or few shot for complex contracts.
Be clear, specific, and review the results.
AI speeds things up, but the lawyer ensures legal accuracy.
Clause Coverage: Are all required clauses included?
Legal Accuracy: Does it comply with the applicable regulations?
Clarity of Language: Is it understandable for the parties involved?
Human Review Time: Does it significantly reduce manual editing?
"Draft a software development service agreement in Mexico, including confidentiality clauses, delivery timelines, and intellectual property rights. Use formal tone and numbered clauses format."
"Write an employment contract for a remote employee based in Spain reporting to a company headquartered in the United States. Include clauses on salary, working hours, benefits, and dispute resolution under Spanish jurisdiction."
"Generate a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) between two retail companies in Colombia, including a personal data protection clause in accordance with Law 1581 of 2012. Use formal language and divide the document into sections."
Don’t just say “applicable law”—specify the country and the exact regulation.
Vague prompts lead to generic contracts.
Never include personal information in the prompt.
Human legal review is non-negotiable.
Integrate contract generation into your contract lifecycle management system.
Configure automatic reminders for legal reviews before signing.
Mastering the art of legal prompts not only saves time—it transforms legal practice. With the techniques and examples in this guide, your team will be able to draft contracts faster and with greater precision.
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How do I adapt a legal prompt if laws change?
Update the jurisdiction section and validate with a lawyer before signing.
Can I use the same prompt in different countries?
No. Each jurisdiction requires a tailored prompt.
How secure is confidential information?
Use enterprise-grade secure platforms and avoid including sensitive data in the prompt.
How long does it take to perfect a prompt?
It depends on the complexity—usually several iterations.
Can a prompt replace a lawyer’s review?
Never. AI speeds things up, but human review is essential.