---
title: "Record that a client was told an AI tool will do substantial work"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/obligations/client-facing-and-access-to-justice-ai-tools/record-that-a-client-was-told-an-ai-tool-will-do-substantial-work"
type: "task"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A43-JU20261022-10"
practice_area: "Client-facing & access-to-justice AI tools"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Record that a client was told an AI tool will do substantial work

> From the retainer and the description of the tool the lawyer supplies, list whether the client has been told that the tool will be used, the types of data it will be given, and how the risks will be managed.…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/obligations/client-facing-and-access-to-justice-ai-tools/record-that-a-client-was-told-an-ai-tool-will-do-substantial-work  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Client-facing & access-to-justice AI tools](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/client-facing-and-access-to-justice-ai-tools.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | From the retainer and the description of the tool the lawyer supplies, list whether the client has been told that the tool will be used, the types of data it will be given, and how the risks will be managed. Do not send the disclosure. |
| What the lawyer must review | The lawyer decides whether the contribution is substantial enough that the client must be told, and settles the words. |
| Written for / versions | 1 jurisdiction versions below |

## Checking plan

**Source-by-source verification**

Record the disclosure of the tool, the data and the risks. The lawyer settles the words.

- What the AI does: From the retainer and the description of the tool the lawyer supplies, list whether the client has been told that the tool will be used, the types of data it will be given, and how the risks will be managed. Do not send the disclosure.
- What the lawyer does: The lawyer decides whether the contribution is substantial enough that the client must be told, and settles the words.
- Who reviews: Responsible lawyer with competence in the matter
- Basis: Practical workflow informed by the linked primary sources; the traffic light and working checks are editorial guidance, not a court classification.
- Why: The level reflects what the work is, the consequence of an error, and how much of the output the lawyer must independently re-derive.

## Checks the lawyer makes

1. Where feasible, the client is advised if a tool will be used. The more significant the contribution, the more stringent that guidance is.
2. Where the tool will do substantial work that would ordinarily be done manually, the client is told that fact, the types of data the system will be given, and how the risks will be managed.
3. Disclosure in the retainer or the engagement letter may be sufficient in many cases. The lawyer decides whether it is sufficient here.
4. The joint statement says the practice records and discloses to the client, if the client asks, when and how a tool was used and how that use is reflected in costs.

## Notes

- 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.

## Sources

- [Queensland Law Society, Guidance Statement No 37: Artificial intelligence in legal practice](https://www.qls.com.au/practising-law-in-qld/ethics/guidance-statements/no-37-artificial-intelligence-in-legal-practice) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner, Statement on the use of artificial intelligence in Australian legal practice](https://lsbc.vic.gov.au/news-updates/news/statement-use-artificial-intelligence-australian-legal-practice) (checked 2026-10-22)

## Jurisdiction versions

| Jurisdiction | Level |
| --- | --- |
| [United States](https://ailawframework.com/obligations/client-facing-and-access-to-justice-ai-tools/record-that-a-client-was-told-an-ai-tool-will-do-substantial-work/united-states.md) | Yellow |

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*