Check a costs disclosure where a tool will do part of the work
Key facts
- Human involvement
- YellowClose supervision
- How AI is used
- From the draft disclosure, list whether it states the basis on which legal costs will be calculated, an estimate of the total legal costs, the client's rights set out in the section, and that it is in writing. Mark any change in the work a tool will do that is not yet disclosed. Do not insert a dollar threshold.
- What the lawyer must review
- The lawyer decides whether disclosure is required, whether a Uniform Rules threshold applies, and whether the client has understood and consented to the course of action and the proposed costs.
- Written for / version
- US
Open a jurisdiction version of this task to see which instruments apply: US
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Assistance | From the draft disclosure, list whether it states the basis on which legal costs will be calculated, an estimate of the total legal costs, the client's rights set out in the section, and that it is in writing. Mark any change in the work a tool will do that is not yet disclosed. Do not insert a dollar threshold. |
| Lawyer | Set the scope, supervise the work closely, verify every part relied on, resolve omissions and exceptions, and approve the exact output. |
Checklist
- When or as soon as practicable after instructions, disclose the basis of calculation and an estimate of the total legal costs, together with the additional information in the section.
- The additional information includes the client's rights to negotiate a costs agreement, to negotiate the billing method, to receive a bill and to request an itemised bill, and to seek the assistance of the designated local regulatory authority in a costs dispute.
- Disclosure is in writing. The practice takes all reasonable steps to satisfy itself that the client has understood and consented to the proposed course of action and the proposed costs.
- A significant change, including a significant change to the legal costs, is disclosed with enough information for the client to decide the future conduct of the matter. Do not invent the lower or higher threshold. Each is the amount specified in the Uniform Rules.
Sources
- Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) s 174 · 2026-10-22
- Queensland Law Society, Guidance Statement No 37: Artificial intelligence in legal practice · 2026-10-22
These are suggested working checks. Confirm the required checking with the responsible lawyer before work starts; the checking approach does not establish permission to use AI.