Practical Checklists
Short, usable checklists for recurring decisions - not comprehensive policy documents. Each one links to the fuller article behind it if you want the full reasoning. General information, not legal advice.
AI Legal Research Verification Checklist
Before relying on an AI-surfaced case citation or legal proposition, confirm:
- The cited case actually exists as an identifiable record.
- The court, case title, and date are all correctly attributed.
- The citation number itself (neutral, SCC, or AIR) resolves to that judgment.
- Any quoted passage actually appears in the judgment text.
- The quoted passage genuinely supports the proposition it's cited for, in context.
- A primary source is available to check independently - not just another AI summary.
- The legal position is still current, not overruled or superseded.
AI Vendor Due-Diligence Checklist
Before adopting an AI tool that will touch client or matter data, ask the vendor:
- How long is input data retained, and is that period configurable?
- Is client content used to train or fine-tune the vendor's models? Can this be disabled?
- Which subprocessors (cloud hosting, model providers) actually see the data?
- Who at the vendor can access submitted content, and under what circumstances?
- Does the workflow require a full document, or can it work with a narrower excerpt?
- What is the vendor's role under the DPDP Act - Data Fiduciary or Data Processor - for this specific use?
Client Data + AI Privacy Checklist
Before pasting client material into any AI tool, confirm:
- You've checked the tool's actual retention and training-use terms, not assumed them.
- The client material is minimized to what's actually needed for the task.
- You understand whether this raises a confidentiality question distinct from data-protection compliance.
- You have a basis to disclose this processing to the client if asked.
- The tool's subprocessors are disclosed and don't include anything you'd need separate client consent for.
Filing Readiness Checklist
Before submitting a document to court, a second structured pass should confirm:
- Completeness against what the specific filing type typically requires.
- Every citation has been re-verified at this final stage, not just when first added.
- Formatting, numbering, and annexure references are internally consistent.
- Case numbers, party names, and dates match across every page of the filing.
- Nothing in the draft relies on a source or fact that was never actually confirmed.
Law Firm WhatsApp Security Checklist
Before using WhatsApp for client communication as a firm (not an individual advocate's personal number), confirm:
- Client updates go through a firm-linked channel, not an individual's personal number.
- Sensitive documents are shared via secure, time-limited links rather than raw attachments.
- There's a firm-level record of what was sent to a client and when.
- Clients have a clear way to opt out of automated updates.
- The channel is not being used for unsolicited or bulk messaging, which most messaging platforms' own policies prohibit.
Disclaimer: LegalDreams.in is a technology infrastructure provider and does not offer legal advice, attorney services, or practitioner representation. These checklists are general informational tools, not a substitute for professional judgment.