Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that is not covered here, please contact us at LegalAI@sabinet.co.za
See also:
- Source FAQs: for queries relating to the source content used for LegalAI
- Purchase FAQs: for queries relating to buying enhanced access to LegalAI
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sabinet Legal AI Research Assistant?
The Sabinet Legal AI Research Assistant is an AI-powered legal research tool that allows users to ask natural language questions and receive precise, source-backed answers drawn from Sabinet’s authoritative South African legal content, including South African legislation, Provincial Legislation, Municipal By-laws, Judgments (case law), and the Sabinet African Law Journals Collection. It is designed to streamline and accelerate legal research while maintaining credibility and accuracy.
Who is the Legal AI Research Assistant for?
The tool is intended for legal professionals, law students and academics, researchers, compliance officers, and Sabinet subscribers who require an AI model trained on South African legal information to assist with a quick starting point for research.
What content does the Legal AI Research Assistant use?
The assistant draws its answers exclusively from Sabinet’s trusted legal sources, including South African legislation (NetLaw), Provincial legislation, South African Judgments, Municipal by-laws, and the Sabinet African Law Journals Collection. All answers are grounded in these sources and provide direct links to the underlying documents for verification.
How do I access the Legal AI Research Assistant?
You can access the Legal AI Research Assistant by logging in with your Sabinet Discover Profile credentials. The tool is integrated into the Discover platform and works alongside your existing Sabinet subscriptions.
Is the Legal AI Research Assistant free to use?
All visitors receive five free access queries to try the Legal AI Research Assistant. Additional usage, advanced features, or broader access may require a paid subscription or query bundle, depending on your access model and subscription level.
Can I trust the answers provided by the AI?
The research assistant uses Sabinet’s authoritative and curated legal content, making it a reliable research companion. However, human oversight and critical review are essential to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and appropriate application of the results.
- It is a starting point for legal research purposes only.
- It does not replace in-depth research or professional legal advice.
- It should always be used together with the original source documents and professional legal judgment.
Does the AI replace traditional legal research?
No. The Legal AI Research Assistant is designed to support and enhance traditional legal research, not replace it. It helps users:
- Kickstart their research journey
- Identify relevant sources faster
- Discover connections between legal materials
Final legal interpretation and decision-making remain the responsibility of the user.
Can I see the sources used in the AI’s answers?
Yes. Every answer includes references and links to the original Sabinet documents used to generate the response. Access to full source content is available to subscribers, allowing them to:
- Verify accuracy
- Read the full context
- Cite the original legal sources with confidence
Does the AI have access to content outside Sabinet?
No. The Legal AI Research Assistant only uses content available within Sabinet’s legal databases. It does not search the open internet or external, non-Sabinet sources.
How current is the legal information used by the AI?
The assistant reflects the currency of Sabinet’s underlying legal content, which is continuously updated. Subscribers see the latest version of consolidated Acts and regulations. Users should always confirm the effective date of legislation or judgments by reviewing the source documents.
Is my data secure when using the Legal AI Research Assistant?
Sabinet applies safeguards to protect user data and system integrity. Usage is monitored to prevent abuse, and the assistant operates within Sabinet’s existing security and access control frameworks.
Can institutions such as universities use the Legal AI Research Assistant?
Yes. Institutional access is supported, with usage controls in place to ensure fair and secure access across users. Contact your portfolio manager for more information on how to subscribe.
Where can I get help or provide feedback?
You can access support, submit feedback, or get assistance directly via the Help/Support or Feedback options within the Legal AI Research Assistant interface. Sabinet Client Support is also available during South African office hours (08:00–17:00) via email at info@sabinet.co.za.