Legal Document Classification Task

A Legal Document Classification Task is a legal-domain NLP task that is a document classification task for law-related documents.

• Context:
  • It can be based on text classification task that can categorize legal documents according to their content and attributes.
  • It can (typically) involve the use of Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to analyze and classify legal documents by extracting relevant information and identifying key features​​.
  • It can range from classifying broad document types, such as contracts, court rulings, and legal briefs, to more specific sub-categories, such as types of legal issues or clauses within a contract​​.
  • It can assist legal professionals by reducing the time and effort required for manual document review, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and accuracy in legal processes​.
  • It can employ advanced machine learning models, including neural networks and transformer-based architectures, to improve the accuracy and robustness of classification tasks​​.
• Example(s):
  • a Contract-Related Classification Task,
  • a Case Law Categorization Task,
  • a Statutory Document Sorting Task,
  • a D2GCLF-based Legal Document Classification Task, which uses graph-based techniques to classify legal documents by extracting relationships between key participants and representing them as relation graphs, outperforming traditional methods in accuracy (Wang et al., 2022).​
  • a Trautmann's (PRIMERA-Model-based) Legal Document Classification Task, which can classify long legal documents by decomposing them into manageable chunks and employing semantic similarity search to improve prompt building and label generation (Trautmann, 2023).​
  • a Noguti-Vellasque-Oliveira Legal Document Classification Task, which employs in various classification tasks, using techniques like TF-IDF and Word2Vec to extract semantic relationships and classify legal documents into specific categories such as family law, criminal law, and more (Noguti et al., 2020).​
  • There are several AI systems designed specifically for legal document classification, such as:
    • ROSS Intelligence: Utilizes NLP and machine learning to help law firms conduct legal research and manage contracts efficiently.
    • Kira Systems: Extracts and analyzes relevant information from contracts using machine learning.
    • LawGeex AI Contract Review Platform: Automates the review and approval of contracts by comparing them against predefined legal standards and benchmarks.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • A general text classification task that does not focus on the unique complexities of legal documents, which require more specialized approaches to account for legal terminology and structure​​.
  • A Legal Document Sentiment Analysis Task, which focuses on determining the sentiment expressed in a text rather than classifying it into legal categories​.
  • Contract Drafting Task,
  • Contract Creation Task,
  • Contract Review Task.
• See: Contract Type, Document Clustering, Spam Filtering, Semantic Analysis, Named Entity Recognition, Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, Document Classification, Contract Lifecycle Management, Legal Document Management, LexGLEU Benchmark Task, Legal Prompting.

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References

2024

• (ChatGPT-OpenAI, 2024) ⇒ Prompt: Summarize the concept Legal Document Classification Task in 1- 2 paragraphs. ChatGPT (model:gpt-4o). Retrieved: 2024-06-10.
  • QUOTE: The Legal Document Classification Task refers to the process of categorizing legal documents into predefined classes or categories based on their content. This task is critical in legal information management, where the objective is to organize vast amounts of legal texts such as case law, statutes, contracts, and legal opinions. By classifying these documents accurately, legal professionals can more efficiently retrieve and manage information relevant to specific legal issues or areas of law.

    Typically, the classification process leverages natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) techniques. These technologies analyze the text within the documents to identify key themes, legal terminologies, and context, subsequently assigning the documents to relevant categories. Effective legal document classification enhances the ability of legal professionals to conduct thorough research, improve case management, ensure compliance, and streamline document retrieval, ultimately improving the efficiency and accuracy of legal work.

2023a

• (Trautmann, 2023) ⇒ Dietrich Trautmann (2023). Large Language Model Prompt Chaining for Long Legal Document Classification. In: arXiv preprint arXiv:2308.04138.

2023b

• (Zuva AI, 2023) ⇒ https://zuva.ai/document-classifications/
  • Contract Document Types:
    • Debt Related Agreement: Agreements that focus on borrowing and lending activities.
      • Credit & Loan Agreement: Agreements governing loans and credit terms between parties.
      • Debt Security Agreement: A written promise to repay a specific amount of money along with interest at a future date.
      • Factoring Agreement: An agreement where a business sells its invoices to a third party.
      • Indenture Agreement: A formal agreement between bond issuers and bondholders.
      • Letter of Credit: A letter from a bank guaranteeing a buyer's payment will be received on time.
    • Debt Supplemental Agreement: Agreements supplementary to primary debt agreements.
      • Assignment Agreement: Transfer of rights or benefits from one party to another.
      • Commitment Letter: A lender's promise to loan a specified amount under certain conditions.
      • Debt Settlement Agreement: Agreements to resolve or restructure existing debt.
      • Forbearance Agreement: An agreement to temporarily postpone, reduce, or suspend payment due to temporary hardship.
      • Guaranty: An agreement to assume responsibility for another's debt or performance under a contract.
      • Intercreditor Agreement: Agreement among multiple creditors that sets forth various liens and the rights and liabilities of each creditor.
      • Loan Consent: Permission from lender for certain actions by borrower that may otherwise be restricted.
      • Negative Pledge Agreement: Agreement where borrower promises not to encumber assets for the benefit of other creditors.
      • Note-Related Agreement: Contracts related to promissory notes.
      • Security Agreement: Agreement that provides security interest in personal or real property to a lender.
      • Subordination Agreement: Agreement specifying the rank of debts in the event of bankruptcy.
    • Distribution Agreement: Agreements governing the distribution of products or services.
      • Financial Services Distribution Agreement: Agreements for distributing financial services or products.
      • Publishing Agreement: Contracts between authors and publishers.
      • Reseller Agreement: Agreements for third-party sales of a product.
      • Wholesale Agreement (Retail): Contracts for wholesale distribution to retailers.
    • Employment Related Agreement: Contracts related to employment and labor relations.
      • Collective Bargaining Agreement: Agreement between employers and a group of employees.
      • Compensation Related Agreement: Agreements outlining employee compensation.
      • Employee Matters Agreement: Contracts on miscellaneous employee-related issues.
      • Employment Agreement: Standard employment contracts.
      • Retention Related Agreement: Agreements to retain employees under specific conditions.
      • Separation Related Agreement: Contracts for conditions under which employment is terminated.
    • Equipment Related Agreement: Contracts for the lease, purchase, or guaranty of equipment.
      • Equipment Lease: Leasing agreement for equipment.
      • Equipment Purchase Agreement: Contracts for purchasing equipment.
      • Guaranty: Assurance for the performance or delivery of equipment.
    • Equity Related Agreement: Agreements related to the exchange or maintenance of ownership in a company.
      • Equity Commitment Letter: Commitment to contribute equity capital.
      • Equity Distribution Agreement: Agreements for distributing equity securities.
      • Registration Rights Agreement: Rights regarding the registration of offered securities.
      • Reorganization Agreement: Agreements for the reorganization of a company.
      • Securities Purchase Agreement: Agreements to buy securities.
      • Shareholder Rights Plan: Agreements on the rights of shareholders.
      • Subscription Agreement: Agreements to buy shares in a future date.
      • Warrant Agreement: Agreements on the option to buy stock at a future date.
    • Governance Agreement: Agreements related to the governance of an organization.
      • Director Agreement: Agreements for board members of an organization.
      • Franchise Related Agreement: Contracts related to the granting of a franchise.
      • Joint Operating & Venture Agreement: Agreements between parties to manage a joint enterprise.
      • LLC Operating Agreement: Operating agreement for a Limited Liability Company.
      • Partnership Agreement: Agreement between partners in a business.
      • Shareholders Agreement: Agreements that define the rights and obligations of company shareholders.
    • IP Agreement: Intellectual Property related agreements.
      • EULA & Website Terms of Use: End User License Agreement and terms for website usage.
      • IP Purchase & Transfer Agreement: Agreements for the sale or transfer of intellectual property.
      • License Agreement: Agreements granting permissions on intellectual property usage.
      • Royalty & Royalty Purchase Agreement: Agreements concerning payments for intellectual property usage.
    • Insurance Related Agreement: Agreements pertaining to various forms of insurance.
      • Fund Participation Agreement: Agreements for participating in an insurance fund.
      • Insurance Policy: Standard insurance contracts.
      • Joint Insurance Agreement: Agreements for sharing insurance responsibilities and benefits.
      • Reinsurance Agreement: Agreements for redistributing insurance risk.
      • Split Dollar Agreement: Agreements splitting the cost and benefit of a life insurance policy.
    • Investment Services Agreement: Contracts related to investment services.
      • Brokerage Agreement: Agreements with broker-dealers for investment transactions.
      • Custodial Agreement: Agreements for the holding of investment assets.
      • Investment Advisory Agreement: Contracts for financial advising services.
      • Investor Relations Agreement: Agreements for services related to investor relations.
      • Placement Agent Agreement: Agreements for selling securities to investors.
      • Transfer Agent Services Agreement: Agreements for handling transfers of securities.
      • Underwriting Agreement: Contracts for underwriting securities offerings.
      • Valuation Services Agreement: Contracts for determining the value of assets.
    • Litigation Related Agreement: Contracts related to legal disputes.
      • Mediation Agreement: Agreements for resolving disputes outside of court.
      • Release & Waiver: Contracts releasing parties from liability.
      • Settlement Agreement: Agreements to resolve legal disputes.
    • M&A Purchase Agreement: Mergers and Acquisitions related contracts.
      • Asset Purchase Agreement: Agreements to purchase company assets.
      • Merger Agreement: Contracts governing the merger of two entities.
      • Stock Purchase Agreement: Contracts for buying stocks as part of a merger or acquisition.
    • M&A Supplemental Agreement: Supplementary agreements to M&A transactions.
      • Assignment Agreement: Transfers of rights as part of a merger or acquisition.
      • Escrow Agreement: Agreements to hold assets in trust during a transaction.
      • Exchange Agreement: Contracts for exchanging assets or stock.
      • Joint Filing Agreement: Agreements for jointly filing regulatory documents.
      • Lockup Agreement: Agreements to prevent the sale of shares for a certain period.
      • Separation & Distribution Agreement: Contracts for the separation of business units.
      • Standstill Agreement: Agreements to halt certain activities for a set period.
      • Transition Services Agreement: Agreements for services during a transitional period.
      • Voting or Support Agreement: Agreements on voting or support during transactions.
    • Privacy Related Agreement: Contracts focused on data and privacy.
      • Business Associate Agreement: Agreements between healthcare providers and third parties handling sensitive health information.
      • Data Protection Agreement: Contracts outlining how data will be protected
    • Real Estate Agreement: Agreements pertaining to real property transactions.
      • Easement Agreement: Agreements for a right of use over another's property.
      • Lease Assignment & Consent to Lease Assignment: Transferring and consenting to lease obligations.
      • Lease Related Guaranty: Assurances related to lease agreements.
      • Lease Renewal & Extension Agreement: Agreements to extend or renew property leases.
      • Lease Subordination Agreement: Agreement to prioritize other debts over lease payments.
      • Lease Termination Agreement: Agreements to end a property lease.
      • Real Estate Lease: Standard property leasing contracts.
      • Real Estate Purchase Agreement: Contracts for buying real property.
      • Real Estate Sublease: Agreements for subleasing property.
      • Resource Lease: Contracts to lease natural resources on a property.
    • Restrictive Covenant Agreement: Contracts that impose restrictions on parties.
      • Non Disclosure Agreement and Confidentiality Agreement: Agreements to protect sensitive information.
    • Service Agreement: Contracts for various types of service provisions.
      • Construction Agreement: Contracts for construction services.
      • Consulting Agreement: Agreements for consulting services.
      • Engagement Letter: Preliminary agreements often preceding formal contracts.
      • Independent Contractor Agreement: Contracts for non-employee service providers.
      • Management Agreement: Agreements for management services.
      • Manufacturing Agreement: Contracts to manufacture goods.
      • SaaS Agreement: Agreements for Software as a Service.
      • Service Level Agreement: Agreements outlining service quality and conditions.
      • Statement of Work: Detailed description of work to be performed under a contract.
    • Structured Finance Agreement: Contracts related to complex financial structures.
      • CLO: Collateralized Loan Obligations.
      • ISDA: International Swaps and Derivatives Association Agreements.
      • Pooling and Servicing Agreement: Agreements for the pooling of financial assets.
      • Repurchase Agreement: Contracts for the sale and future repurchase of assets.
      • Securities Lending Agreement: Agreements to loan securities against collateral.
    • Supply Agreement: Contracts for the supply of goods or services.
      • Purchase Order & Terms of Sale: Standard orders for purchasing goods.
      • Quality Agreement: Agreements outlining quality requirements.
      • Resource Supply Agreement: Contracts for supplying resources.
      • Warranty: Agreements to provide after-sale service or replacement.
    • Tax Related Agreement: Contracts related to tax obligations and benefits.
      • Rollover Agreement: Agreements to reinvest assets to avoid capital gains tax.
      • Tax Matters Agreement: Agreements governing the handling of tax-related issues.

2022

• (Wang et al., 2022) ⇒ Qiqi Wang, Kaiqi Zhao, Robert Amor, Benjamin Liu, and Ruofan Wang (2022, July). "D2GCLF: Document-to-graph classifier for legal document classification". In: Findings of the Association for Computational Linguistics: NAACL 2022.
  • QUOTE: Legal document classification is an essential task in law intelligence to automate the labor-intensive law case filing process. Unlike traditional document classification problems, legal documents should be classified by reasons and facts instead of topics. We propose a Document-to-Graph Classifier (D2GCLF), which extracts facts as relations between key participants in the law case and represents a legal document with four relation graphs.

2020

• (Noguti et al.,2020) ⇒ Mariana Y. Noguti, Eduardo Vellasques, and Luiz S. Oliveira (2020, July). Legal document classification: An application to law area prediction of petitions to public prosecution service. In: 2020 International joint conference on neural networks (IJCNN).

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