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Composing Queries

The quality of your research results depends heavily on how you frame your query. This guide covers how to write effective queries, pick jurisdiction from the top bar, attach context files, and use Settings for tone, language, length, and (when India caselaw applies) which legal databases to search.

Anatomy of a good query​

An effective legal research query has three components:

  1. The legal issue -- The specific question of law you are investigating.
  2. Relevant facts -- Key facts that may affect the legal analysis.
  3. Desired output -- What type of answer or analysis you need.

Example: weak vs. strong queries​

Weak queryStrong query
"Non-compete clauses""Is a 24-month non-compete clause with a 50km radius enforceable for a senior sales executive in Ontario, and what factors do courts consider when assessing reasonableness?"
"Landlord obligations""Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (UK), what are a landlord's repairing obligations for common areas in a multi-tenant commercial building, and what remedies does a tenant have if the landlord breaches these obligations?"
"Contract damages""In Delaware, what is the standard for recovering consequential damages for breach of a software licensing agreement where the contract contains a limitation of liability clause?"
Write like you are briefing a colleague

Imagine you are asking a junior associate to research an issue. You would give them the facts, the specific legal question, and tell them what you need the research for. Do the same with Judicio.

Query options​

Jurisdiction, Settings, and files sit around the composer — not as a country-tree picker on the query box.

Jurisdiction​

The top-bar jurisdiction switcher sets the active jurisdiction for the workspace. That is what Research uses for source databases. See Jurisdictions for the coverage tables (Indian Kanoon, CourtListener, CanLII, and so on).

There is no jurisdiction chip on the composer itself.

Settings chip​

The Settings chip under the composer shows tone, language, and response length. Open it to change those values.

When India caselaw applies, the same open Settings menu holds the repositories picker — four scope presets (Everything, Courts only, Tribunals only, Statute and rules) plus High Courts and other legal databases to include in the search.

Deep Mode​

Toggle Deep Mode on the composer for a thorough, multi-angle pass; leave it off for a faster answer.

Attaching context files​

Context files give the AI information about your specific matter, dramatically improving relevance.

What to attach​

  • The contract or agreement at issue -- So the AI can reference specific clauses and provisions.
  • A case brief or statement of facts -- So the AI understands the factual matrix.
  • Opposing counsel's submissions -- So the AI can identify the arguments you need to counter.
  • A draft memo or brief -- So the AI can find authority for propositions you have already identified.

How context files affect results​

When you attach context files, the AI:

  1. Reads the documents and identifies the key legal issues, facts, and arguments.
  2. Tailors the search to focus on the specific questions raised by your documents.
  3. Cross-references findings against your documents, noting where case law supports or contradicts the positions taken.
  4. Highlights relevant clauses in your documents that are addressed by the research findings.

Attaching files​

  1. Use the file band on the Research home, or open the Files panel from the top bar.
  2. Choose documents already in your File Library, or upload new files.
  3. Selected files appear on the band before you send the question.
Large files use more credits

Each context file is processed as part of the research query. Larger files increase credit consumption. If you only need the AI to consider specific sections, consider extracting those sections into a shorter document.

Advanced query techniques​

Comparative research​

To compare the law across jurisdictions, frame your query explicitly as a comparison:

"Compare the enforceability of non-compete clauses for senior executives in Ontario (Canada), New York (US), and England (UK). What are the key differences in the legal tests applied?"

Set the top-bar jurisdiction to each country you need compared, and say so in the query. Judicio structures the results as a comparative analysis.

Statutory interpretation​

When researching how a specific statutory provision has been interpreted:

"How have Canadian courts interpreted section 15(1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the context of age-based discrimination in employment since 2015?"

Include the specific statutory reference so the AI can target its search precisely.

Finding authority for a specific proposition​

When you already know the legal principle and need supporting authority:

"Find Canadian appellate decisions holding that an employer's failure to provide reasonable notice of termination entitles the employee to damages in lieu of notice, even where the employment contract contains a termination clause, if the clause does not comply with the Employment Standards Act."

Be as specific as possible about the proposition you need supported.

Negative research​

To find authority against a position (useful for anticipating opposing arguments):

"Find UK case law where courts have refused to enforce restrictive covenants in share purchase agreements on the grounds that the restraints were unreasonable in scope or duration."

Explicitly state that you are looking for cases going against the position.

Query history​

All your queries are saved in the research workspace. You can:

  • Review past queries -- Scroll through your research history to revisit earlier queries and results.
  • Reuse a query -- Select a past query to re-run it, optionally modifying the question or jurisdictions.
  • Continue a conversation -- Select a past query to resume the multi-turn conversation from where you left off.

Next steps​