Yes. Canadian lawyers can use ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini. The law society guidance we reviewed doesn't ban them. Your usual duties still apply: competence, confidentiality, supervision and candour to the court. Verify every output, keep client names and privileged facts out of consumer tools, and follow any court notice on AI.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, and they differ by province and by court. Check with your law society before you set a firm policy.
The short answer
The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) says using generative AI is like getting help from a non-licensee employee. You can delegate. You stay responsible for the result. The duties you already know now apply to a chatbot.
| Duty | What it means when you use ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini |
|---|---|
| Competence | Know the tool's limits. A person checks every fact, case and quote. |
| Confidentiality | If a tool lacks proper safeguards, don't enter confidential or identifying client information. |
| Honesty and candour | Tell clients about AI use when it could affect their matter or carries real risk. |
| Supervision | Set firm rules for staff. AI should not do work only a licensee can do. |
| Reasonable fees | AI costs billed as disbursements must be fair, disclosed and at actual cost. |
| Not misleading the tribunal | Follow court notices on AI. Check every authority is real. |
What the Law Society of Ontario published
In April 2024 the LSO released three short resources worth reading in full.
1. The white paper. Licensee use of generative artificial intelligence explains how the conduct rules apply to AI. It recommends a firm policy on which tools staff can use and with what settings. It also warns that anonymizing is not perfect: the facts alone may reveal the client.
2. The practice resource. Generative AI: Your professional obligations is dated April 10, 2024. It covers the six duties in the table above. Its tips: a person verifies the output, not the AI. Redact identifying details. If that can't protect privilege, explain the risk and get informed consent first.
3. The quick-start checklist. Generative AI: Your quick-start checklist covers vendor due diligence, reading the terms of service, human verification, an audit trail of prompts, and a rule that staff never enter prompts that could identify a client or matter.
Other law societies
Two other examples we checked directly:
- Law Society of British Columbia: its practice resource Guidance on Professional Responsibility and Generative AI (October 2023) says it can't endorse any product, and raises informed client consent where data can't be redacted.
- Law Society of Alberta: it publishes The Generative AI Playbook.
Practising elsewhere? Look up your own regulator's guidance.
Court rules on AI in filings
Federal Court. The Court's notice on the use of AI in court proceedings, updated May 7, 2024, asks for a declaration. If a document prepared for litigation contains content created or generated directly by AI, its first paragraph must say so. You don't need one if AI only suggested edits to text a person wrote. The declaration alone won't draw an adverse inference. As of our check, the May 2024 notice is still the latest on the Court's notices page.
Ontario civil courts. Since December 1, 2024, Rule 4.06.1(2.1) of the Rules of Civil Procedure has required every factum to include a signed statement that the signer is satisfied every cited authority is authentic, whether or not AI was used (O. Reg. 384/24). A further amendment, O. Reg. 275/26, took effect September 1, 2026. It adds a certification that quotations from authorities accurately reflect their text.
Read the cases, not just the citations. A chatbot can invent a case or misquote a real one.
Safe vs risky: what to paste
Most of the risk sits in what goes into the box. Use this as a starting rule for staff.
| Usually safe | Risky: keep out unless your firm has vetted the tool |
|---|---|
| Generic templates, checklists and agendas | Client names, addresses, dates of birth, file numbers |
| Your own draft text with identifiers removed | Privileged facts, advice you gave, settlement positions |
| Public law you will verify yourself | Whole documents: factums, agreements, medical or financial records |
| Marketing copy about your firm | Opposing party names or details that could identify the matter |
| Plain-language rewrites of general process steps | Anything a client asked you to keep confidential |
The LSO's test is whether the tool has appropriate confidentiality, security and retention safeguards. A business plan your firm has vetted may meet it. A personal account on default settings likely won't. When in doubt, redact.
Consumer vs business plans
What each provider says on its own pages, checked in October 2026:
| Provider | Personal plans | Business plans |
|---|---|---|
| OpenAI (ChatGPT) | A setting called "Improve the model for everyone" controls training. Turn it off and new chats aren't used to train. Temporary chats aren't used for training and may be kept up to 30 days for safety. | By default, content from Business, Enterprise, Edu and ChatGPT for Healthcare workspaces isn't used to train OpenAI models. |
| Anthropic (Claude) | Free, Pro and Max users choose whether chats are used for training. If you allow it, retention is five years. If not, it stays at 30 days. | That consumer change doesn't apply to services under Anthropic's Commercial Terms, including the Team and Enterprise plans and the API. |
| Google (Gemini) | Personal Google accounts follow the Gemini Apps terms. Check the Gemini Apps Privacy Hub and your settings. | Google says Workspace customer data isn't used to train its generative AI models without the customer's permission. |
"Not used for training" does not mean "not stored." Read the retention terms too.
20 prompts for small Canadian firms
Each prompt works in ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini. Fill in the [BRACKETS], keep the line about client names, and review every output before it leaves the firm.
Intake and new matters
You are helping a lawyer at a small [PROVINCE] law firm. Below is a redacted intake note. Names are replaced with roles like [CLIENT] and [OTHER PARTY]. Summarize it in five bullets: the issue, the people by role, key dates, documents mentioned, and open questions for the lawyer. Do not give legal advice or predict outcomes. Do not include client names or privileged facts. Note: [PASTE REDACTED NOTE]
Draft 12 intake questions for a first call about a [MATTER TYPE] matter in [PROVINCE]. Group them: contact details, other parties (for conflicts), key dates, documents. Keep each question under 15 words, in plain language. Do not include client names or privileged facts.
Create a file opening checklist for a [MATTER TYPE] file at a [NUMBER]-lawyer firm in [PROVINCE]. Include conflict check, identity verification, engagement letter, retainer, limitation dates, and anything I am missing. Format as a table: step, owner, done. Do not include client names or privileged facts.
I am reviewing my engagement letter template for [MATTER TYPE] work. List the topics a complete engagement letter usually covers, such as scope, who does the work, fees, disbursements, billing, retainer, communication, and ending the relationship. Compare that list to my headings below and tell me what looks missing. Do not include client names or privileged facts. Headings: [PASTE HEADINGS ONLY]
Write a plain-language explanation of a fee estimate for a [MATTER TYPE] matter. Fee structure: [HOURLY / FLAT / BLOCK]. Estimate range: [RANGE]. Main cost drivers: [LIST]. Explain what is included, what could change the estimate, and how disbursements are billed. Do not promise a final cost. Do not include client names or privileged facts.
Client communication
Rewrite the email below so a non-lawyer understands it on the first read. Keep the meaning exactly the same. Do not add advice, facts or promises. Under 200 words. Flag any sentence where simplifying might change the legal meaning. Do not include client names or privileged facts. Email: [PASTE REDACTED DRAFT]
Translate the email below into Canadian French for a client in [PROVINCE]. Use a professional "vous" tone. Keep legal terms accurate and list any term where you were unsure of the French equivalent. Do not include client names or privileged facts. Email: [PASTE REDACTED ENGLISH TEXT]
Draft a short status update email for a client on a [MATTER TYPE] file. Since the last update: [GENERAL STEP, E.G. DOCUMENTS FILED]. Next: [NEXT STEP]. Expected timing: [TIMEFRAME]. Needed from the client: [ITEMS]. Under 150 words. No predictions about outcome. Do not include client names or privileged facts.
Explain the general steps of a [PROCESS, E.G. SMALL CLAIMS CASE] in [PROVINCE] for a client handout. Numbered steps, one or two sentences each. Mark any step where timing varies. End with: "Every case is different. Your lawyer will explain how this applies to you." Do not include client names or privileged facts.
List the points a short non-engagement letter usually covers when a firm declines a [MATTER TYPE] matter. Include: we are not acting, no advice was given, time limits may apply so they should seek other counsel promptly, and where to find a referral. Then draft a neutral, kind 120-word version with [PLACEHOLDERS] for details. Do not include client names or privileged facts.
Deadlines, meetings and documents
From the redacted text below, list every date, deadline and time period mentioned. Table columns: date or period, what it relates to, the exact words it came from. Do not calculate limitation periods or tell me which deadline applies. I will confirm each one myself. Do not include client names or privileged facts. Text: [PASTE REDACTED TEXT]
Create a 30-minute agenda for a [FIRST CONSULT / FILE REVIEW / STAFF] meeting about a [MATTER TYPE] file. Include time per item, who leads it, and decisions needed by the end. One page. Do not include client names or privileged facts.
Turn these redacted internal meeting notes into action items. For each: task, owner by role (lawyer, clerk, assistant), and due date if stated. Mark anything unclear as "confirm". Do not add tasks that are not in the notes. Do not include client names or privileged facts. Notes: [PASTE REDACTED NOTES]
Write a checklist of documents a client should gather before a first meeting about a [MATTER TYPE] matter in [PROVINCE]. Group by type (identity, financial, correspondence, other) with a one-line plain reason for each. End with: "Bring what you have. We will tell you if anything else is needed." Do not include client names or privileged facts.
Firm operations
Draft a one-page generative AI use policy for a [NUMBER]-person law firm in [PROVINCE]. Cover: approved tools, privacy settings, what staff may never paste, human review, a prompt log for client work, and when clients are told. Plain language. Do not include client names or privileged facts.
Write a step-by-step internal procedure for [TASK, E.G. OPENING A NEW FILE IN OUR PRACTICE SOFTWARE]. Audience: a new assistant. Numbered steps, one action each, then a "common mistakes" section. Our tools: [LIST SOFTWARE]. Do not include client names or privileged facts.
Create a 10-question multiple choice quiz for law firm staff on safe use of AI chatbots. Cover: what never to paste, redacting names, checking output, privacy settings, and when to ask a lawyer. Give the answer and a one-line explanation for each. Do not include client names or privileged facts.
Marketing and reviews
Write a LinkedIn post for a [PRACTICE AREA] firm in [CITY] explaining [GENERAL TOPIC]. Rules: every claim true and verifiable. No "best" or "top". No implied outcomes. No testimonials. State that we are licensed lawyers (or paralegals, if that applies). End with "This is general information, not legal advice." Under 180 words. Do not include client names or privileged facts.
Review the practice area page below. Flag any sentence that could mislead, can't be verified, suggests a result, or claims we are better than other lawyers. For each flag: quote it, explain the concern in one line, and suggest a safer rewrite. Do not include client names or privileged facts. Page: [PASTE PAGE TEXT]
Write a short public reply to this Google review of our law firm. Do not confirm the reviewer was a client or mention any matter. Thank them, say we take feedback seriously, and invite them to call [PHONE] or email [EMAIL]. Under 60 words, calm and professional. Do not include client names or privileged facts. Review: [PASTE REVIEW TEXT]
Where an AI receptionist fits
Prompts help the people at your desk. A different gap is the call that comes in while they are busy. An AI receptionist can answer, collect the names needed for a conflict check, and book a consult. It should not give legal advice: the LSO says AI should not do duties only a licensee can perform. Confidentiality still reaches callers who never hire you, and callers should always be able to reach a person. Details are in law firm intake automation in Ontario and on our AI for law firms page.
FAQ
Can lawyers in Canada use ChatGPT?
Yes. The law society guidance we reviewed doesn't ban it. You must supervise it, verify its output and protect client confidentiality, as with a non-licensee employee. Check your own law society's guidance.
What has the Law Society of Ontario published on generative AI?
In April 2024 it released a white paper called Licensee use of generative artificial intelligence, a practice resource called Generative AI: Your professional obligations, and a quick-start checklist. They apply existing duties to AI tools.
Do I have to tell the court I used AI?
In the Federal Court, yes, if a filed document contains content generated directly by AI. Its May 7, 2024 notice requires a declaration in the first paragraph. In Ontario civil courts, every factum must certify that cited authorities are authentic, whether or not AI was used.
Can I put client information into ChatGPT?
Not into a tool that lacks proper confidentiality, security and retention safeguards. The LSO says to redact identifying details and, if that can't protect privilege, to explain the risks and get the client's informed consent. A vetted business plan may be suitable.
Do I need to tell clients I use AI?
Sometimes. The LSO says you should inform clients when AI use is relevant to the services, may affect their interests or the outcome, or carries risks they should know about.
Sources
Checked October 2026. Read the originals before relying on them.
- LSO, Licensee use of generative artificial intelligence (April 2024)
- LSO, Generative AI: Your professional obligations (April 10, 2024)
- LSO, Generative AI: Your quick-start checklist
- LSO, Rules of Professional Conduct, Chapter 4 (marketing)
- Law Society of BC, Guidance on Professional Responsibility and Generative AI
- Law Society of Alberta, The Generative AI Playbook
- Federal Court, Notice on the Use of AI in Court Proceedings (May 7, 2024)
- Federal Court, Notices
- O. Reg. 384/24 and the OBA summary
- O. Reg. 275/26 and the OBA summary
- OpenAI, Data controls in ChatGPT
- Anthropic, Updates to our Consumer Terms
- Google, Generative AI in Google Workspace Privacy Hub
- Google, How Gemini in Workspace apps protects your data
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