Summarizing Policies and Legal Texts

[!WARNING] ChatGPT is not a lawyer. AI can miss subtle legal nuances. Always have a qualified professional review final contracts or critical compliance documents.

1. The "Plain English" Translator

Legal documents are full of "theretofore" and "notwithstanding." AI is the perfect tool to strip those away.

Example Prompt:

"Translate this 'Terms of Service' section into plain English that a 10th-grade student could understand. Specifically, answer: 'Can they share my data with third parties?'"

2. Searching for "Red Flags"

• "Review this 'Non-Compete' clause. Are there any restrictions that seem unusually broad or restrictive? Highlight any mentions of time limits or geographic boundaries."

graph LR
    Legal[Legal Jargon] --> AI[ChatGPT Translator]
    AI --> Simple[Plain English Summary]
    AI --> RedFlags[Potential Risks Found]
    RedFlags --> Lawyer[Human Legal Review]

3. Comparing Documents

• "Below are two 'Software License Agreements'. Create a table showing the differences in 'Uptime Guarantee', 'Liability Limits', and 'Termination Notice Period'."

4. Drafting Internal Policies

• "Based on these 5 bullet points about our 'Hybrid Work Philosophy', write a formal 2-page company policy document. Use a structure that includes Purpose, Scope, Procedures, and Exceptions."

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Hands-on: The ToS Audit

1. Find a Terms of Service for a site you use (e.g., Netflix, Spotify).
2. Prompt: "Summarize the 'Cancellation' policy of this document in 3 bullet points. What is the exact date or timeframe I need to cancel by to avoid the next charge?"

Key Takeaways

• Use AI for Clarity, not for Legal Verdicts.
• Red Flag searches save review time.
• Always provide a Human-in-the-Loop check.