---
title: "Prepare expert-evidence instructions and review draft planning reports"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/prepare-expert-evidence-instructions-and-review-draft-planning-reports"
type: "task"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A12-T1-R5"
practice_area: "Planning & Environment"
tier: "red"
lawyer_review: "required"
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Prepare expert-evidence instructions and review draft planning reports

> The tool writes no part of the letters of instruction and nothing into any expert's report: from the notice of refusal, the council's contentions and the DA file it lists which contention no expert has yet been…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/prepare-expert-evidence-instructions-and-review-draft-planning-reports  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

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

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Planning & Environment](https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment.md) |
| Human involvement | Red: Lawyer writes; AI may check, clarify or collect data |
| How AI is used | The tool writes no part of the letters of instruction and nothing into any expert's report: from the notice of refusal, the council's contentions and the DA file it lists which contention no expert has yet been instructed on, indexes the drawings, survey, consultant reports and planning controls each expert must be sent, and checks the letter the lawyer has written against the forum's expert code of conduct and the joint-report directions. On the draft reports it tables each expert's stated assumptions, the points where two reports diverge, and the plans, approvals or site data a report relies on but has not been provided. |
| What the lawyer must review | The lawyer writes each letter of instruction and checks in their own text that every question sits within that expert's field and answers a contention actually in issue, that each assumption stated is one the lawyer can prove on the evidence, and that nothing in the letter points the expert to the conclusion sought; the lawyer confirms the code of conduct is attached and acknowledged and that the indexed drawings and controls are the current versions. On the draft reports the lawyer reads each report against the table rather than relying on it, and decides personally which assumptions, divergences and gaps go back to the expert or are left for the conclave. |
| Written for / versions | 1 jurisdiction versions below |

## Checking plan

**Source-by-source verification**

Trace relied-on content to independent sources and check for relevant material the output has missed.

- What the AI does: Potential support includes preparing preliminary structure or wording and summarising source material. Confirm the tool’s capability and permitted scope.
- What the lawyer does: Set the scope, verify the evidence, resolve exceptions and approve the final output for its intended use.
- Who reviews: Responsible lawyer with competence in the matter
- Basis: Suggested checking approach based on the task guidance. Complete the assessment for the actual tool, information and jurisdiction.
- Why: The plan reflects the described work and review requirements. Policy colours are not used to determine permission or checking.

## Checks the lawyer makes

1. Check the specialist’s assumptions, qualifications and limits. Obtain the relevant expert or specialist review before relying on a technical conclusion.
2. Review the original source set for relevant material absent from the output, including contrary evidence, qualifications and unresolved gaps.
3. Confirm the output against the client’s instructions and the complete relevant source material, including omissions or contradictions.
4. Resolve exceptions and record the responsible lawyer’s approval of the exact output and intended use.

## Notes

- Confirm the required checking with the responsible lawyer before work starts. The checking approach does not establish permission to use AI.

## Jurisdiction versions

| Jurisdiction | Level |
| --- | --- |
| [United States](https://ailawframework.com/practice/planning-and-environment/prepare-expert-evidence-instructions-and-review-draft-planning-reports/united-states.md) | Red |

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