Litigation Issue Spotter: Research Questions From Your Fact Pattern
Turns a litigation fact pattern into a list of research questions. Each issue is tied to the facts that bear on it and carries an authority-needed marker, so the model names the questions and you find the law.
The Prompt
Variables (6)
| Variable | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| {{client_role}} | Client and Role | Northgate Components LLC, defendant |
| {{forum}} | Forum and Governing Law, If Known | State court, Cook County; the contract names Illinois law |
| {{fact_pattern}} | Fact Pattern | On March 14, 2026, the buyer says 10,000 units were not delivered under the written supply agreement. |
| {{documents}} | Documents With Dates | Paste the contract clauses, pleadings and correspondence, each with its date. |
| {{authority}} | Pasted Authority | Paste statute, rule or decision text you already have, or leave blank. |
| {{notes}} | Attorney Notes and Concerns | Concerned about whether notice of the late delivery was ever given. |
Expected Output
Fact register, conflicts, count and time check, then the issue list: each issue as a plain-language research question with facts for, facts against, facts missing and an authority-needed marker, then declined requests, missing information and a verification list.
Usage Notes
Use after you have gathered the facts and before formal research. Paste the pleadings, contract text or notes with the fact pattern so each fact has a source. The issues come back as questions, not as elements or conclusions: do not read an issue as a statement of what the law requires. Watch for facts the notes assert without a document behind them. Not legal advice. The attorney remains responsible for verifying every fact, figure and authority before use.
Originally featured in: How to Use AI for Legal Research Safely in 2026: The Complete Workflow
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* These prompts are drafting and analysis aids for licensed attorneys. They are not legal advice and do not replace professional judgment. AI output can contain errors, including invented citations and incorrect deadlines: verify every fact, figure, authority and deadline against primary sources before relying on it. Rules vary by jurisdiction, and you remain responsible for the final work product.