ChatGPT (‘CGPT’) is one of the most powerful research tools ever created. However, law schools have been cautious about teaching students how to use it. Dr Ben Wardle has been experimenting with CGPT, comparing its answers with his in-depth knowledge of Australian law gained from over a decade of lecturing. Over several years, he has learned how to utilise CGPT in dependable ways. This guide will teach you how to properly use CGPT to for legal research to make law school easier and save an enormous amount of time and stress. Using ChatGPT For Legal Research is the ultimate study guide for law students who want to work smarter—not harder. 
 
The document covers:
Necessary initial prompts to update CGPT’s memory so it only uses appropriate sources when answering your questions.
Using CGPT to help develop summaries of law, including finding the authoritative sources regulating any area, locating relevant statutory definitions or legal tests, identifying cases that satisfy or breach a legal test, summarising cases, and using CGPT to check your summaries.
Using CGPT to help you understand difficult legal concepts or terminology.
Using CGPT to assist with law school essays, covering how to use CGPT to interpret and simplify essay questions, find and summarise journal articles on the topic, and summarise common criticisms of law mentioned in an essay question.
Using CGPT to improve your writing and referencing.
 
Why You Need This Guide
 
Law school is demanding—and time is limited. This guide helps you:
Cut hours off your weekly workload,
Get ahead in tutorials and assignments,
Avoid AI-generated mistakes that cost marks,
Become confident using legal databases and secondary sources,
Build the skills you’ll need to research and write like a real lawyer. Competence in using AI will soon be a required skill for graduate positions, making expertise in using AI essential for your future career.
 
Using ChatGPT for Legal Research  is more than just a study aid—it’s your blueprint for surviving and succeeding in modern legal education.