The Problem
AI sounds equally confident whether it is right or guessing. You can't tell from tone whether an answer is reliable. This leads to over-reliance on uncertain information.
The Solution
After the AI answers, ask:
"On a scale of 1-10, how confident are you in this answer? What parts should I definitely verify?"
The answer can bring out doubts that the original response did not show. It is the AI's own account of itself, not a measurement: this site has published no result showing that the score matches how often the AI is right.
How To Use It
Step 1: Get your answer
[Ask your legal question]
Step 2: Check confidence
On a scale of 1-10, how confident are you in that answer?
What parts should I verify independently?
Which parts are you least certain about?
Step 3: Act on the response
- Start your checking with the parts the AI says it is least sure of
- Treat a high score as a claim, not as evidence. Check the answer all the same
- If the AI gives a low score, do not rely on the answer. Research the point from an authoritative source
Whatever the score, check every citation and every statement of law you intend to use.
Before You Rely on This
The examples on this page are made up to show the technique. No test results have been published for it, so try it on your own work and judge it by what you find.
This guide is about how to word a prompt. It does not make a client's document or information safe to put into an AI tool. What you may enter depends on the plan your firm has, its agreement with the vendor and your firm's policy: Claude Projects for Client Matters sets out the checks for one tool. To practise, use a precedent or a published document that contains no client information, and refer to parties by role.
Why It Helps
Asking the question gives the AI room to list what it is unsure of. It may flag:
- Citations it is unsure about
- Principles that might have exceptions
- Jurisdictional issues
- Recent legal changes it might not know about
- Facts it would need and does not have
Examples
Example 1: Legal Research
Your question:
What's the current limitation period for breach of contract claims in
England and Wales?
AI response:
The limitation period is generally 6 years under the Limitation Act 1980.
For a specialty (such as a contract made by deed), it's 12 years.
You ask:
How confident are you in that answer, 1-10?
AI reveals:
Confidence: 9/10 for the general rule.
I'm very confident about the 6-year rule for simple contracts
(Section 5, Limitation Act 1980) and 12-year rule for specialties
(Section 8).
However, you should verify:
- Whether any statutory exceptions apply to your specific contract type
- Whether the contract includes any contractual limitation periods
- Whether there are any grounds for extending the period (fraud, concealment)
The basic rules I stated are solid, but limitation is fact-specific.
This is more useful. You have a list of points to check. You still check the core answer against the Limitation Act 1980 itself.
Example 2: Case Law
Your question:
Find cases on directors' duties when the company is insolvent.
AI response:
Key cases include:
- West Mercia Safetywear Ltd v Dodd [1988] BCLC 250
- Winkworth v Edward Baron Development Co Ltd [1986] 1 WLR 1512
- BTI 2014 LLC v Sequana SA [2022] UKSC 25
These establish that directors must consider creditors' interests
when the company is insolvent or nearing insolvency.
You ask:
How confident are you in those citations? Which should I definitely verify?
AI reveals:
Confidence levels:
- West Mercia Safetywear v Dodd: 8/10 (confident this case exists and is on point)
- Winkworth v Edward Baron: 7/10 (confident it exists, slightly less certain about exact citation)
- BTI v Sequana: 9/10 (recent Supreme Court case, very confident)
DEFINITELY verify all citations independently, but I'm least certain about
the Winkworth citation format.
The legal principle I stated is well-established, but you should read
the cases yourself as the exact duties depend on financial circumstances.
More useful. You know which citation the AI doubts most, and that you need to read the cases (not just rely on the AI's summary). Check all three citations, not only the doubtful one.
Example 3: Practical Advice
Your question:
Can we dismiss this employee for poor performance without
following a formal process?
AI response:
Generally, you should follow a fair procedure including warnings,
performance improvement plans, and meetings. Summary dismissal for
poor performance is risky and likely to result in unfair dismissal.
You ask:
How confident are you in that advice? What are you least certain about?
AI reveals:
Confidence: 7/10 overall.
Confident about:
- General principle that procedural fairness is required
- Risk of unfair dismissal claim if no process followed
Less certain about:
- Your employee's specific contract terms (might have probation or different rules)
- Length of service (a qualifying period applies to unfair dismissal claims,
and I may not know the current one)
- Whether this is actually "poor performance" vs "gross misconduct"
- Your previous practice with this employee
You need an employment lawyer to review:
1. The employment contract
2. Length of service
3. Documented evidence of poor performance
4. Any previous warnings or discussions
My answer is "textbook" but real advice depends on these specifics.
More useful. The AI has listed facts it does not have. There may be others it has not listed.
Pro Tips
Ask confidence questions:
- "How confident are you in that answer (1-10)?"
- "Which parts should I definitely verify?"
- "What are you least certain about?"
- "What would change your answer?"
- "What assumptions have you made?"
Use this guide when:
- Answer seems too simple
- Issue is complex or fact-specific
- Citation format looks odd
- AI didn't hedge or qualify
- Stakes are high (litigation, transactions)
Don't use when:
- Simple factual questions ("What's the filing fee?")
- Well-established principles you're already familiar with
- You're just brainstorming or exploring ideas
Common Mistakes
❌ Trusting high confidence without verification: AI can be confidently wrong
❌ Not asking for confidence on important matters: Always ask when it matters
❌ Accepting low confidence answers: If AI says "3/10" - don't use that answer
✅ Use confidence check + independent verification for all important work
Quick Reference
After getting any important legal answer, ask:
How confident are you in that answer on a scale of 1-10?
What parts should I verify independently?
What are you least certain about?
What assumptions have you made?
Action based on response:
- The parts it doubts: Check these first
- A high score: A claim, not evidence. Check the answer all the same
- A low score: Do not rely on the answer. Research the point from an authoritative source
- Every citation and statement of law you intend to use: Check it, whatever the score
Remember: The score is the AI's own account of itself, not a guarantee. Always verify legal information independently before you rely on it.