In Clio Work, web search enables Vincent AI to retrieve materials from the open web, including law firm briefings, academic publications, regulatory commentary, news, and corporate filings. Vincent always retrieves authoritative sources, such as statutes and case law, from the Clio Library first, then conducts a web search when appropriate to build out your research with materials outside the Library. Web search operates under the same data protections as the rest of Clio Work. For details, see Compliance.
Note: Web search is available only when your firm administrator has enabled it. If you do not see a web search control in your conversation, web search is turned off at the firm level.
When to use web search
Web search adds value when your research extends beyond authoritative legal sources. Use the table below to decide when to turn it on and when to keep it off.
| Web search on | Web search off |
|---|---|
| Secondary commentary, briefings, and analysis | Primary case analysis and precedent research |
| Regulatory guidance, corporate filings, and public disclosures | Full research memos (use Ask a Research Question) |
| Academic papers, policy literature, and breaking news | Matters where firm policy restricts external sources |
| Industry and market context | Privileged work product kept to authoritative sources |
Toggle web search on and off
You control web search for each conversation, so you can decide what shapes your research based on the task at hand. Your selection applies to the current conversation. Each new conversation follows your firm's default setting.
- Select Vincent from the left navigation panel, and open or start a conversation in Clio Work.
- Select the + icon and locate the Web Sources toggle.
- Select the toggle to turn web search On or Off for that conversation.
Approve Vincent to search the web
If web search is off for a conversation and Vincent determines that a web search is needed to complete your instruction, Vincent asks you to approve the search first.
- Select Approve for this Conversation to let Vincent run the web search for that request.
- Select Reject to have Vincent continue without using a web search.
Identify web sources in your results
Vincent labels web materials as a distinct source type in the Cited Sources Tray, so you always know when an answer drew on Library materials versus web sources. Web sources appear under the Cited Sources heading, separate from cases and statutes.