Research Templates
Research templates are pre-configured query structures that help you get comprehensive results for common legal research tasks. Instead of writing every query from scratch, start with a template and customize it to your specific facts.
What is a research template?
A research template includes:
- Pre-written query structure -- A query framework with placeholders for your specific facts, parties, and legal issues.
- Recommended jurisdictions -- Default jurisdiction selections appropriate for the template's topic.
- Suggested source types -- Case law, legislation, or both, depending on the query type.
- Output format guidance -- Instructions to the AI about how to structure the results (e.g., comparative table, chronological analysis, issue-by-issue breakdown).
Templates save time and ensure you do not overlook important angles when researching a topic you may not be deeply familiar with.
Built-in templates
Judicio includes templates for the most common legal research scenarios.
Contract and commercial
| Template | Description | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| Enforceability of restrictive covenants | Analyzes non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality clauses | Employment disputes, M&A post-closing restrictions |
| Limitation of liability clauses | Researches enforceability and interpretation of liability caps and exclusions | Contract disputes, SaaS agreements |
| Force majeure and frustration | Examines when force majeure clauses apply and the doctrine of frustration | Supply chain disruptions, pandemic-related disputes |
| Implied terms | Researches when courts imply terms into commercial contracts | Contract interpretation disputes |
| Penalty clause analysis | Analyzes whether a clause is an enforceable liquidated damages provision or an unenforceable penalty | Construction contracts, service agreements |
Corporate and M&A
| Template | Description | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| Director duties and liability | Researches fiduciary duties, business judgment rule, and personal liability | Board advisory, litigation against directors |
| Piercing the corporate veil | Analyzes when courts disregard corporate separateness | Fraud claims, undercapitalized entities |
| Shareholder remedies | Covers oppression remedies, derivative actions, and winding-up petitions | Shareholder disputes |
| Material adverse change (MAC) | Researches interpretation of MAC clauses in acquisition agreements | Abandoned transactions, M&A disputes |
Employment
| Template | Description | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| Wrongful dismissal damages | Researches reasonable notice periods and factors courts consider | Termination disputes |
| Constructive dismissal | Analyzes what constitutes a fundamental breach by the employer | Workplace changes, role modifications |
| Workplace discrimination | Researches the legal framework and burden of proof for discrimination claims | Employment litigation, HR advisory |
| Whistleblower protection | Covers statutory protections and remedies for whistleblowers | Compliance, internal investigations |
Litigation and dispute resolution
| Template | Description | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| Limitation periods | Identifies applicable limitation periods and when they start running | Pre-action assessment, litigation strategy |
| Injunctive relief | Researches the test for interim and permanent injunctions | Urgent applications, IP disputes |
| Costs and fee-shifting | Analyzes cost rules and when courts order costs against a party | Post-trial motions, settlement strategy |
| Arbitration clause enforceability | Researches when courts enforce or refuse to enforce arbitration clauses | Jurisdictional challenges |
Regulatory and compliance
| Template | Description | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| Data protection and privacy | Researches GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy law requirements | Compliance advisory, breach response |
| Anti-corruption and bribery | Covers FCPA, UK Bribery Act, and local anti-corruption laws | Internal investigations, compliance programs |
| Securities regulation | Researches disclosure requirements, insider trading, and market abuse | Capital markets transactions, enforcement defense |
| Environmental compliance | Covers environmental liability, remediation obligations, and penalties | Due diligence, regulatory proceedings |
Intellectual property
| Template | Description | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| Patent infringement | Researches claim construction and infringement analysis | Patent litigation, licensing disputes |
| Trademark distinctiveness | Analyzes registrability and likelihood of confusion | Brand clearance, opposition proceedings |
| Copyright fair use / fair dealing | Researches the scope of fair use and fair dealing defenses | Content disputes, licensing |
| Trade secret misappropriation | Covers the elements of trade secret claims and available remedies | Employee departure, competitor disputes |
Using a template
- From the Legal Research workspace, select Templates in the toolbar.
- Browse or search the template library.
- Select a template to preview its structure and default settings.
- Select Use Template to load it into the query composer.
- Fill in the placeholders with your specific facts, parties, and legal issues.
- Adjust jurisdictions and source types if needed.
- Select Research to run the query.
Customize before running
Templates are starting points, not rigid forms. Always review the pre-filled query and adjust it to match your specific facts and questions. The more specific you make it, the better your results.
Creating custom templates
If you frequently run the same type of research, create a custom template:
- From the Templates panel, select Create Template.
- Write your query structure with placeholders (e.g.,
[party name],[jurisdiction],[relevant clause]). - Set default jurisdictions and source types.
- Give the template a name, description, and category.
- Select Save.
Custom templates are saved to your organization and available to all team members.
Sharing templates
- Organization templates -- Saved to your organization by default, visible to all members.
- Personal templates -- Mark a template as personal to keep it private.
- Duplicate and modify -- Team members can duplicate your template and customize it for their own use.
Template best practices
Write templates for your practice area
The most valuable custom templates reflect the specific research questions that come up repeatedly in your practice. If you find yourself running similar queries across multiple matters, turn that query into a template.
- Use clear placeholders -- Make it obvious what information needs to be filled in. Use descriptive labels like
[employee name]rather than generic ones like[X]. - Include context guidance -- Add comments in the template explaining what type of context file works best (e.g., "Attach the employment agreement" or "Attach the patent specification").
- Set appropriate defaults -- Choose the jurisdictions and source types that are most commonly relevant. Users can always override them.
- Keep the query focused -- A template that tries to cover too much produces less useful results. It is better to have multiple focused templates than one broad one.
Next steps
- FAQ -- Answers to common questions about Legal Research.
- Composing Queries -- Advanced query techniques to pair with templates.