---
title: "Review checklist for AI-assisted monthly trust reconciliation (Uniform General Rules r 48)"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/precedents/trust-accounting-and-handling-client-money/ai-trust-reconciliation-review-checklist"
type: "precedent"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "a41-ai-trust-reconciliation-review-checklist"
area_id: "A41"
kind: "checklist"
ai_level: "red"
version: 1
law_stated_as_at: "2026-10-17"
---

# Review checklist for AI-assisted monthly trust reconciliation (Uniform General Rules r 48)

> A checklist for the principal who reviews a monthly trust reconciliation prepared with AI matching: inputs and access, the statements r 48 requires, how to test the AI's matches, exceptions to investigate, master-data…

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/precedents/trust-accounting-and-handling-client-money/ai-trust-reconciliation-review-checklist  
Law stated as at: 2026-10-17

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

A checklist for the principal who reviews a monthly trust reconciliation prepared with AI matching: inputs and access, the statements r 48 requires, how to test the AI's matches, exceptions to investigate, master-data changes, sign-off within 15 working days, and escalation of irregularities.

## Key facts

- Kind: Checklist. Steps or checks to work through and tick off.
- Practice area: [Trust accounting & handling client money](https://ailawframework.com/precedents/trust-accounting-and-handling-client-money.md)
- Jurisdictions: New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia
- AI level: Red. Keep AI out of the decisive steps. A lawyer does the work.
- Law stated as at: 2026-10-17
- Status: Maintained. Checked on 2026-10-17 against the 8 authorities it cites, for New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

## When to use it

Use each month where software or an AI tool has matched bank, cash book and ledger entries. It is the human review layer; it does not replace the reconciliation statements or the external examination.

## How AI may be used

Lawyer-led. AI matching can speed up a reconciliation, but the responsible principal reviews every exception and a sample of matches and signs off personally. AI never posts entries or clears differences.

**AI may:**

- Suggest matches between bank statement lines, cash book entries and ledger entries, with the reason for each match.
- List unmatched items, timing differences, aged balances and possible debit balances for review.
- Assemble the month's reconciliation pack and index for the reviewer.

**AI must not:**

- Must not post, edit or reverse entries, or create journal transfers.
- Must not mark differences as resolved or "write off" small amounts.
- Must not use bank data that did not come directly from the bank or the bank feed.

**The lawyer checks:**

- Both r 48(2) statements exist, are dated and were prepared within 15 working days after month end.
- Every exception is explained with evidence, and a sample of AI matches was tested.
- Any irregularity has been escalated under s 154.

## Authorities

- [Legal Profession Uniform Law s 147 (keeping trust records, including for 7 years and in a way that can be examined)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2014-16a)
- [Legal Profession Uniform Law ss 148 and 154 (deficiency; reporting irregularities)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/act-2014-16a)
- [Legal Profession Uniform General Rules 2015 r 38 (computerised systems: monthly copies, 15 working days, not modifiable)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2015-0246)
- [Legal Profession Uniform General Rules 2015 r 39 (chronological record of changes to client and matter data)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2015-0246)
- [Legal Profession Uniform General Rules 2015 r 40 (system requirements, including no debit balances and no amendment except by separate transaction)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2015-0246)
- [Legal Profession Uniform General Rules 2015 r 41 (monthly back-ups kept in a separate location)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2015-0246)
- [Legal Profession Uniform General Rules 2015 r 48 (reconciliation of trust records within 15 working days)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2015-0246)
- [Legal Profession Uniform General Rules 2015 r 49 (trust ledger account in the practice's name)](https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2015-0246)

## Full text and drafting notes

The full text and the drafting notes are not part of this public page. Signed-in firm accounts can read them at https://ailawframework.com/precedents/trust-accounting-and-handling-client-money/ai-trust-reconciliation-review-checklist and through the signed-in MCP connector https://ailawframework.com/mcp/firm.

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