Before you begin preparing a brief, motion, or strategy memo, you can use the Ask Research Questions workflow to generate jurisdiction-specific legal research backed by cited primary and secondary authorities. Vincent AI queries the Clio Library and returns a structured research memo with verified sources you can review, filter, and act on. This workflow draws on the Clio Library only, but you can also supplement your research with materials from the open web, see Web Search with Vincent AI.
Important: All Vincent AI output requires final review and due diligence by a qualified legal professional before use in court proceedings, client advice, or legal strategy.
Ask a research question
Note: Vincent may suggest a rephrased version of your question to improve research accuracy. You can accept the suggested phrasing or select Submit the question as originally phrased to proceed with your original question.
- In Clio Manage, go to the Work section of the left navigation.
- Click Vincent to open the research workspace.
- Optional: Select a matter using the Select Matter dropdown.
- Optional: Select your jurisdiction below the text box.
- Click Research and select Ask a Research Question.
- Type your research question in the text box. For guidance on writing effective research questions, see Write Effective Prompts for Vincent.
- Select the arrow to submit.
Ask a research question during an active conversation
You can submit additional research questions at any point in an active conversation.
- Type your follow-up question in the text box at the bottom of the conversation.
- Select the arrow to submit.
Vincent returns a separate response for each question submitted.
Understand the research memo
Vincent returns a structured research memo for each question. Each memo is organised into the following sections:
- Short response
A direct answer to your question in plain language.
- Summary
A concise overview of the legal landscape on the issue.
- Background and relevant law
The statutory and case law framework governing the issue.
- Detailed analysis
Application of the law to the specific facts or context of your question.
- Exceptions and caveats
Jurisdictional variations, unsettled law, or limitations on the analysis.
- Conclusion
Vincent's synthesised position on the question.
- Legal authorities
Cited sources with extracts, relevance scores, and citations, filterable by case, statute, regulation, administrative decision, and secondary source.
Review legal authorities
The Legal Authorities panel lists the verified sources Vincent used to answer your question, including citations, relevance scores, and source excerpts.
- Select Legal Authorities below Vincent's response if the panel is not immediately visible.
- Review each source.
- Document title, source summary, and a relevant excerpt are displayed for each entry.
- Select a document title to open the full text in Clio Library. Use this to verify citation treatment and review the source in context before relying on it in your matter.
- Select the copy icon on any source to copy its title, summary, and excerpt.
-
Use the filter tabs to narrow results by source type.
Tip: Select Most Relevant to sort results or Modify List to adjust the sources included in the analysis.
Save and export research
You can save and/or export relevant parts of your conversation with Vincent. Refer to Save and Manage Conversation Results in Clio Work.
Up Next
- Develop a legal position: see Build Arguments in Clio Work to apply your research to a structured argument for a motion, brief, or strategy memo
- Analyse your documents: see Analyse Legal Documents in Clio Work to apply research findings to specific filings or agreements
- Compare jurisdictions: see Compare Jurisdictions in Clio Work to expand your research across multiple states or governing frameworks