Overview
User Guide
What is Descrybe Legal Engine?
How the Legal Engine works with Claude and Descrybe Platform
Descrybe Legal Engine is the source-controlled legal research layer that lets Claude use focused Descrybe tools. This guide covers what it is, how it works, what it can do, and how it differs from the full Descrybe Platform.
Definition
What is Descrybe Legal Engine?
Descrybe Legal Engine is the legal research layer that lets supported AI assistants, starting with Claude, use Descrybe tools for source-grounded legal research. It connects conversational AI to Descrybe search, citation lookup, quote verification, treatment checks, case details, source passages, and related legal research tools.
The Legal Engine is not a separate chatbot. Claude is the conversational reasoning and writing layer. Descrybe supplies the legal research data, source material, and verification tools Claude can use when the connector is enabled.
It is also standalone from the Descrybe Platform interface. You do not need to have the Descrybe web app open for Claude to use Legal Engine tools. In this workflow, Claude puts the returned material into usable output while Descrybe delivers legal research data, source material, and source-checking results into that conversation.
How it works
- 1
Claude receives your question
You ask Claude a legal research question, citation question, quote-checking question, or related legal task.
- 2
Claude chooses a Descrybe tool
If Descrybe is connected and the task calls for legal research, Claude can call one or more Descrybe tools.
- 3
Descrybe returns legal research material
Descrybe performs the requested search, lookup, verification, or source retrieval and returns focused results for Claude to use.
- 4
You inspect the source trail
You can review the source material, tool result, and legal authorities before relying on the answer.
What the Legal Engine can do
Search source law
search_cases_by_concept, search_case_text, search_laws_and_rules
Find cases, case text, statutes, regulations, constitutions, and similar source-law material.
Resolve authorities
find_case_from_reference, extract_case_references, get_case_details
Turn citations, case names, short cites, docket numbers, or pasted text into authorities that can be inspected.
Review source text
get_case_passages, get_case_summary, get_case_pdf
Retrieve case summaries, relevant source passages, and opinion PDFs when the source itself needs review.
Check reliability
check_case_status, find_cases_that_cite, verify_quote
Check treatment signals, citing cases, and quoted language before relying on a source.
Legal Engine and Descrybe Platform
Descrybe Platform is the full Descrybe web workspace for research, DescrybeLM, Descrybe Review, search, history, and direct use inside Descrybe. Descrybe Legal Engine is the connector-oriented layer that lets Claude use focused Descrybe legal research tools.
Many users can use both. The platform is useful when you want the full Descrybe workspace. Legal Engine is useful when you want Claude to work with Descrybe tools while the source trail remains inspectable.
In normal use, you stay in Claude. Descrybe returns the legal data and source-checking results, and Claude uses that material in the chat you are already having.
Why source control matters
Legal AI is most useful when it can stay connected to legal sources. Descrybe Legal Engine is designed to keep citation lookup, quote verification, treatment review, and source retrieval close to the conversation, so a researcher can inspect the legal material behind an answer.
Read how AI legal research can go wrong, and how to check it
FAQ
Is Descrybe Legal Engine the same as Claude?
No. Claude is the AI assistant and chat interface. Descrybe Legal Engine is the Descrybe connector and tool layer that Claude can use for legal research tasks.
Does Descrybe Legal Engine include Claude access?
No. Claude access is separate. Descrybe Legal Engine gives your Descrybe account access to the Descrybe legal research tools that Claude can call through the connector.
Is Descrybe Legal Engine only for Claude?
Claude is the first supported AI assistant surface for Descrybe Legal Engine. Descrybe may support additional assistant workflows as the product develops.
Does the Legal Engine replace source review?
No. It is designed to make source review easier and more visible. You should still inspect important authorities and use your own judgment before relying on legal research output.