Best practices for document analysis

Tip #1 - Provide Context, Goals and Instructions

An ideal research input consists of 3 basic elements:

1. Context - Tell Alexi about the file you’re working on, or the work you’re trying to perform. 
2. Goal - Describe what your ideal outcome would look like.
3. Instructions - Provide a task for Alexi to complete (such as finding caselaw, answering a question, helping you strategize etc.)

Here is an example:

We are representing a distributor in a commercial dispute involving a terminated supply agreement with a manufacturer. The manufacturer claims our client breached exclusivity terms and is seeking damages for lost sales. Please review the attached supply agreement and identify any clauses that could increase our client's liability exposure, particularly around exclusivity, termination rights, and indemnification. 

Tip #2- Ask Follow-Up Questions and Iterate

Think of your interaction with Alexi as a conversation, not a one-time search. The best way to get useful answers is to:

1. Start broad – Begin with a general question to get an overview.
2. Narrow down – Use Alexi’s first answer to identify areas you want more detail on.
3. Ask follow-ups – Build on the previous answers by asking more specific questions.
4. Refine further – Continue until you have the clarity, level of detail, or format you need.

This step-by-step approach mirrors how you would research a topic with a colleague: start wide, then zoom in until you have the precise answer.
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Example:

1. Start Broad - Can you review this supply agreement and identify any clauses that could present liability risks for our client, a distributor accused of breaching exclusivity terms?
   
   
2. Narrow Down - You mentioned risks under the exclusivity and termination provisions - can you explain how the language in the exclusivity clause might support the manufacturer's claim?
   
   
3. Ask Follow-Ups - What counterarguments could we raise based on how the exclusivity clause is worded? Does it leave any room for interpretation that could favor our client?
   
   
4. Refine Further - Please draft a bullet-point list summarizing how courts have interpreted similar exclusivity clauses in Ontario commercial contracts, focusing on ambiguity or partial performance scenarios.

Tip #3 - Be Specific 

When you ask a question about your own documents, Alexi will try to determine which documents and pages are relevant to your query. 

To get the most accurate answers from Alexi, ask clear, structured questions and reference the relevant documents, or at least the category of documents. This guides Alexi to deliver precise, legally relevant results, much like briefing a colleague.

Examples

• Bad prompt: Summarize anything relevant to termination. ❌
• Better prompt: Summarize the termination clauses in the employment agreement, as well as any communication to the employee about termination, and provide a list of anything relevant to the issue. ✅

• Bad prompt: Summarize the documents that reference the shareholder ❌
• Better prompt: What are the key references to oppressive conduct in this shareholder’s affidavit that may support an oppression remedy? ✅

• Bad prompt: Find any references to harassment in the employment records ❌
• Better prompt: From signed policy acknowledgments and LMS records, identify proof that the employee received and completed training on confidentiality and harassment policies. ✅