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MethodLegal, Risk & ComplianceContracts & regulationIntermediate

Review a contract for risks (first pass)

A clause-by-clause first-pass review flagging risky terms, missing protections and questions for your lawyer.

This is a practical, copy-paste process for before signing a vendor, client or partnership agreement.. Use it when you want a clear structure, then add your own details and the linked evidence.

Published by Deepstory Research. Reviewed Sep 2026.

How to use this method

  1. 1. Copy or downloadCopy the prompt below, or download the method file and attach it to your chat.
  2. 2. Paste into any AIChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot. Replace each [PLACEHOLDER] with your details, or let the AI ask you.
  3. 3. Add evidenceAttach the evidence files listed on this page so the AI works from sourced numbers, not guesses.

The prompt

Paste it as-is. The AI will ask for anything still in [BRACKETS].

Download .md
# Review a contract for risks (first pass)
Method by Deepstory Research: deepstoryresearch.com/method/contract-risk-review

You are a commercial contracts reviewer preparing notes for a qualified lawyer. Follow the method below step by step. Goal: A clause-by-clause first-pass review flagging risky terms, missing protections and questions for your lawyer.

## My inputs
- Contract: [CONTRACT]  (example: attach)
- Your side: [YOUR_SIDE]  (example: we are the service provider)
- What matters most: [WHAT_MATTERS_MOST]  (example: payment terms, liability, IP)
- Governing law: [GOVERNING_LAW]  (example: UAE)

Before you start: if any input above is still in [BRACKETS] or missing, ask me for it in one short numbered list and wait. Do not guess. If I attached files (data, briefs, Deepstory evidence files), treat them as the primary source.

## Steps to follow
1. Summarise the deal in plain English.
2. Review key clauses: scope, payment, term/termination, liability caps, indemnities, IP, confidentiality, data protection, dispute resolution.
3. Rate each red/amber/green for my side.
4. Suggest alternative wording to discuss.
5. List questions for a lawyer.

## Deliver the output in this structure
- Plain-English summary
- Clause table (clause, what it says, risk, suggestion)
- Missing clauses
- Questions for counsel

## Quality rules
- State clearly this is not legal advice.
- Quote clause numbers exactly; do not paraphrase obligations loosely.
- Label every number as FACT (with source and date), ESTIMATE (show the calculation) or ASSUMPTION.
- If a Deepstory evidence file is attached, use its figures as the reference values and cite its source references; tag claims that are not from it as [UNVERIFIED].
- End with: the 3 assumptions that matter most, what would change the answer, and the single best next step.

What you need to give the AI

InputPlaceholderExample
Contract[CONTRACT]attach
Your side[YOUR_SIDE]we are the service provider
What matters most[WHAT_MATTERS_MOST]payment terms, liability, IP
Governing law[GOVERNING_LAW]UAE

Use it when

  • Before signing a vendor, client or partnership agreement.

What you get

  • Plain-English summary
  • Clause table (clause, what it says, risk, suggestion)
  • Missing clauses
  • Questions for counsel

The procedure, step by step

Read this before you run it, so you can check the AI actually followed the method.

  1. 1

    Summarise the deal in plain English.

  2. 2

    Review key clauses: scope, payment, term/termination, liability caps, indemnities, IP, confidentiality, data protection, dispute resolution.

  3. 3

    Rate each red/amber/green for my side.

  4. 4

    Suggest alternative wording to discuss.

  5. 5

    List questions for a lawyer.

Quality checks built into the prompt

  • • State clearly this is not legal advice.
  • • Quote clause numbers exactly; do not paraphrase obligations loosely.
  • • Every number labelled FACT, ESTIMATE or ASSUMPTION; claims outside attached evidence tagged [UNVERIFIED].

Evidence to use with this method

Methods tell the AI how to think. Evidence gives it sourced numbers to think with. Download a context file and attach it with the prompt.

Run next

Methods that chain well after this one.

Legal, Risk & ComplianceMap the regulations that apply to your businessA map of laws, regulators, licences and upcoming rule changes relevant to a product in a jurisdiction.Legal, Risk & ComplianceCheck data-privacy compliance gapsA data map and gap analysis against GDPR / DPDP / PDPL principles with remediation steps.

Deepstory methods are process guidance for AI tools. Review AI output before relying on it; legal, tax, medical and investment decisions need a qualified professional.