The Extract Contract Data skill allows lawyers to quickly focus their attention on relevant content in many contracts and other highly-structured files, like agreements, leases, or even policy manuals. In this situation, CoCounsel Core reads files word-for-word to extract multiple, key data points.
A. How the AI works
Select contracts and request a data extraction. CoCounsel then reads every word of the contract and provides a response for every question for every contract.
1. Select files
At the bottom of the chat, select "⊕ Upload" and then use any of these options to select files: "Files from your database," "Recent files," or "Upload from your computer." How do I add files to the chat in CoCounsel Core?
2. Request an extraction
CoCounsel confirms the selected files. Request a data extraction by entering the questions you want answered when CoCounsel is reading the contracts, then press Enter on your keyboard or select the send button in the chat.
3. Confirm the extraction
CoCounsel interprets your request and the gray, pill-shaped label confirms the use of the Extract Contract Data skill. Edit the text of the questions, delete questions, add questions, or select questions from favorites. How can I use favorites? Cancel the request or select "Submit request."
4. CoCounsel begins extracting data
CoCounsel shows its progress and confirms the files and questions being used for the data extraction. Select "Email me when complete" to be notified when your results are ready. You may also cancel your request, or select "View results" to watch CoCounsel work.
5. Navigate and verify the results.
When the results are ready, click "View results."
The results include an answer table with a response for every question for every contract.
Search and filter the response, read short answers in each cell, hover a cell for a full explanation, adjust "Rows per page" and use navigation arrows.
Select a contract to verify results
Select a contract or a particular cell to open the viewing pane. If a cell is selected, CoCounsel opens the contract and expands that question. The viewing pane shows everything from the prior table screen, including the question, the short answer in the response, and the full explanation that appeared when a response is hovered.
On the left side, expand and collapse headings, select "Show sources..." to see every part of the contract that supports the response. Select pages to auto-scroll to that part of the contract. Use arrows to navigate to previous and next contracts.
On the right side, use the menu options to navigate selected contracts.
If CoCounsel makes conflicting statements when answering your questions, it could mean that your contract contains conflicting information. Select a contract or a particular cell to open the viewing pane to review the relevant parts.
6. Use the results
Download or copy the results.
There are multiple download options.
Word Document - With Explanations and Sources
The short answers with the longer explanations that appear when you hover a cell in the table.
Word Document - Short Answers Only
The download includes the short answers visible in the table and the longer explanations visible upon hover.
Excel Document
An overview tab shows the short and longer answers for each file.
Click to enlarge
A separate tabs for each question shows the source for every answer for every contract, and also restates the short and long answer.
Click to enlarge
B. Tips and samples
1. Tips
Overall
CoCounsel understands nuance, humor, and implied references. This means CoCounsel finds information and references that traditional search engines cannot. The best requests are specific, clear, precise, and concise.
Be specific and clear
Use narrow, specific questions.
It is better to ask multiple, narrow questions rather than a single, broad question.
Broad: What was the Planned Parenthood case about? Better: What were the elements of the court’s reasoning in Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992)? |
CoCounsel may try to “help” by omitting additional information to focus on one part of a longer, complex, overbroad question.
Be precise and concise
Avoid using vague or ambiguous language, like passive voice.
Spell out legal terms a law student might not know.
Grammatical and spelling errors in a question can be misinterpreted.
Passive voice: Where the defense was sided with by the court. Active voice: Where the court sided with the defense. |
Wordy: Cases where there was a minor who was the plaintiff, and who was also under the age of 14 at the time of the alleged events that the court was considering. Better: Cases with a minor plaintiff under the age of 14. |
2. Samples
Use these samples as a starting point for your work with CoCounsel.
Requests
For due diligence, please extract the following data from these agreements: 1. Who are the parties to the Agreement? 2. What is the term of the Agreement? 3. What is the address of the property? 4. What is the description of the premises? |
I'm confirming information for a lease schedule, please extract the following data: What is the term of the Agreement? Can either party terminate the Agreement without the other party’s consent? Is there a change of control provision? Is the Agreement assignable? Are there any conditions to assignment? |
Break up long, multi-step questions into their component parts. For example, "Is the agreement assignable, and if so, are there conditions for such assignment?" becomes two questions: "Is the agreement assignable?" and "Are there any conditions for assignment?"
I need to extract key data from this agreement: -Is this a Mutual NDA? -What is the term? -How is confidential information defined? -What is excluded from the definition of confidential information? |
Refinements
Here in the chat, provide a narrative overview of what we learned from the Extract Contract Data "Response" above. |
Please use the Extract Contract Data "Response" above to draft a short inter-office memo that provides an overview. It's to my boss, Dr. Clarice Starling. Use a neutral tone. |
Could you tell me everything you learned about the document titled "2017-01-10_2017-01-10_a17-1652_1ex2d1.pdf" in the above Extract Contract Data "Response" above? |
Extract data from these contracts again, but instead ask these following questions: [new questions] |
Please provide a brief summary of the 2017-01-10_2017-01-10_a17-1652_1ex2d1.pdf file. |
Could you provide a timeline of the events in all 12 contracts from the above data extraction? |
C. Limitations
1. Input limits
File types
.doc, .docx, .eml, .msg, .pdf, .txt, .zip
Files within a .zip folder must comply with file size and type limitations.
File size and amount
Generally, there can be a tradeoff between the size of files and the amount of files. For example, CoCounsel may be able to work with many smaller files in the same time as a few larger files. Expect to wait longer for requests with larger files or more files. CoCounsel will provide an estimated time to complete the work.
File size
500 MB .pdfs
20 MB text files
File Amount
~100 files
If a file is rejected for size, split the file into multiple, smaller files.
Upload in batches of ~100 files
Compare and contrast files
CoCounsel extracts data from each file on its own. This means CoCounsel cannot complete requests that require CoCounsel to compare or contrast information from separate files.
✨ The answer table shows how each document answers each question. For this reason, the answer table provides helpful comparison and contrast information.
Handwriting
Generally, if a human can read handwritten text, then CoCounsel should be able to read it, too. This means CoCounsel’s ability to read handwritten text can vary, depending on legibility.
Questions
~30 questions
Text passages
The source of CoCounsel's Extract Contract Data skill cannot be text pasted into the chat. It must be a file.
2. Output limits
An answer for every question for every contract. There is no limit to the relevant answers that can be offered.
Answers do not contain independent legal research. To focus the results on a particular legal provision, provide it in the prompt.