Microsoft Copilot for legal teams

Legal work is document-heavy, deadline-driven and high-stakes. Microsoft Copilot helps most with the first two and needs careful supervision on the third.

1. Catch up on a matter

Where: Copilot Chat with the Microsoft 365 Copilot licence, or Researcher for a fuller briefing.

Summarise the [matter name] matter from my emails, Teams chats and meeting notes over the last 30 days. Give me: current status, decisions made, open actions with owners, and upcoming deadlines. Cite each source.

Check: open the cited emails behind any deadline or decision.

2. First-pass document review

Where: Copilot in Word, with the document open.

List every clause dealing with limitation of liability, indemnities, termination and assignment. For each, quote the clause number and text, then summarise it in one plain-English sentence.

Compare this draft with [previous version].docx and list every substantive change, ignoring formatting and typos.

Check: read the clauses yourself. Use Word's own Compare feature for the authoritative change list.

3. Client-ready explanations

Explain the effect of clause 14 to a finance director who is not a lawyer. Under 150 words, no Latin, keep every condition.

4. Precedent and know-how agent

Where: Agent Builder, grounded in your approved know-how folder on SharePoint.

Instructions to include: answer only from the know-how folder, cite the document name, say when something is not covered, never draft advice for a specific client.

5. Meeting to attendance note

Where: Teams meeting with transcription, if your policy allows it.

Draft an attendance note of this meeting: attendees, matters discussed, advice given, instructions received, and agreed next steps with owners. Neutral, factual tone.

Check: the fee earner reviews and corrects it before filing.

6. Prepare a hearing or completion checklist with Cowork

Where: Copilot Cowork, if enabled.

Using the [matter] folder and my emails, build a completion checklist in Excel with each item, responsible party, status and source document. Draft, but do not send, an email to the team asking for updates on items marked outstanding.