Think of all those lawyers 🧐

Institutions employ many lawyers. Legal documents are instruments that confer authority. Why are lawyers licensed to interpret and argue law in our courts❓… because it provides a monopoly on power 🙀.

Jun 01, 2025

A swamp paved with legislative asphalt.

How often do news stories appear that involve legislation and/or other forms of legal documentation which require the expertise of one or many high-priced lawyers?

Here are two examples of the some of the ways that the taxpaying public is bogged down with legal red tape and forced to pay outrageous taxes to pay the legal fees for the privilege. While the following are American examples, don’t think for a minute that Canada is any better.

The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to block a lower court order restricting the Department of Homeland Security from deporting illegal immigrantsto nations other than their home countries.
Trump Admin Asks Supreme Court to Lift Restrictions on Deportations to Third Countries

I offer these links to exemplify how complex legal frameworks affect many of the public issues we read about every day in the news or hear about from others in casual conversations.

A Legal Tarmac underlies every step you take 😳.

Every official thing you do in modern life has at least one legal document associated with it from birth to death, and beyond. Take a minute to think about this.

Now consider this. Prior to the creation of the printing press, I can’t imagine the average person knowing anything about “the law”, or even the extent to which it existed at all 🤨.

Papering over our ‘freedoms’ and ‘obligations’.

GROK offered the following in answer to my question:

🧶“How many different types of ‘legal’ documents exist today❓

🕵️‍♂️ The term “legal document” refers to any written instrument that has legal significance, establishes or alters legal rights and obligations, or serves as evidence in legal proceedings. The number of different types of legal documents is vast and depends on the context, jurisdiction, and legal system. Rather than providing an exhaustive count, it’s more practical to categorize legal documents by their purpose and function. Below is an overview of major categories and examples of legal documents, with the understanding that specific types can number in the hundreds or more when accounting for variations across jurisdictions and specialized fields.
👁️ Major Categories of Legal Documents
Legal documents can be broadly grouped based on their purpose. The following categories cover the most common types, though the list is not exhaustive:
Contracts and Agreements
These documents establish legally binding obligations between parties.
Examples: Sales contracts, lease agreements, employment contracts, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), partnership agreements, service contracts, loan agreements, purchase agreements, and licensing agreements.
Estimated variety: Dozens to hundreds, depending on specificity (e.g., a “consulting agreement” vs. a “freelance consulting agreement for IT services”).
Court and Litigation Documents
These are filed or used in judicial proceedings.
Examples: Complaints, answers, motions, affidavits, subpoenas, court orders, judgments, writs, and discovery documents (e.g., interrogatories, requests for production).
Estimated variety: Over 50 distinct types, varying by court type (civil, criminal, family, etc.) and jurisdiction.
Property and Real Estate Documents
These govern the ownership, transfer, or use of property.
Examples: Deeds (warranty, quitclaim, etc.), mortgages, titles, leases, easements, liens, and property transfer agreements.
Estimated variety: 20–30 core types, with variations based on local laws.
Business and Corporate Documents
These relate to the formation, operation, or dissolution of businesses.
Examples: Articles of incorporation, bylaws, shareholder agreements, operating agreements (for LLCs), annual reports, merger agreements, and dissolution documents.
Estimated variety: 30–50 types, depending on business structure and jurisdiction.
Estate Planning and Probate Documents
These manage the distribution of assets and end-of-life decisions.
Examples: Wills, trusts (revocable, irrevocable, etc.), powers of attorney, advance healthcare directives, and probate petitions.
Estimated variety: 10–20 core types, with variations for specific purposes (e.g., special needs trusts).
Government and Administrative Documents
These are issued or required by government entities.
Examples: Birth certificates, marriage licenses, death certificates, passports, visas, tax forms, permits, and licenses (e.g., business, driver’s).
Estimated variety: Hundreds, as governments issue or require numerous forms for different purposes.
Financial and Banking Documents
These govern financial transactions and obligations.
Examples: Promissory notes, loan agreements, security agreements, bank statements, and letters of credit.
Estimated variety: 20–30 types, depending on financial context.
Intellectual Property Documents
These protect creative and intellectual assets.
Examples: Patents, trademark registrations, copyright assignments, and licensing agreements.
Estimated variety: 10–15 core types, with variations for specific industries.
Personal and Family Law Documents
These address personal and familial legal matters.
Examples: Prenuptial agreements, divorce decrees, child custody agreements, adoption papers, and guardianship documents.
Estimated variety: 15–25 types, depending on family law nuances.
Insurance Documents
These outline insurance coverage and claims.
Examples: Insurance policies, claim forms, and proof of loss documents.
Estimated variety: 10–20 types, varying by insurance type (health, auto, property, etc.).
Employment and Labor Documents
These govern workplace relationships.
Examples: Employment contracts, non-compete agreements, collective bargaining agreements, and termination notices.
Estimated variety: 15–25 types, depending on labor laws.
Notarial and Authentication Documents
These require official witnessing or certification.
Examples: Affidavits, notarized letters, and certified copies.
Estimated variety: 5–10 core types, with variations by jurisdiction.
👁️ Estimating the Total Number
It’s challenging to provide an exact number of “different types” of legal documents because:
Jurisdictional Variations: Each country, and often each state or province, has its own specific forms and requirements (e.g., a California deed may differ from a New York deed).
Specialized Documents: Niche fields like maritime law, international trade, or tax law introduce highly specialized documents.
Custom Documents: Many legal documents, especially contracts, are tailored to specific situations, creating near-infinite variations.
A conservative estimate might place the number of distinct legal document types in the hundreds to low thousands globally, with common ones numbering around 200–300 across the major categories listed Presently, I have listed above. This number grows when accounting for jurisdiction-specific forms and highly specialized documents.
👁️ Key Considerations
Legal Significance: A document is “legal” if it has enforceable legal effect or is recognized in a legal context. This excludes informal agreements without legal backing.
Digital and Modern Variations: Modern legal documents may include digital formats, such as e-signed contracts or blockchain-based smart contracts, adding to the variety.
Cultural and Legal System Differences: Civil law, common law, and religious law systems (e.g., Sharia) each have unique documents, further expanding the total.
👁️ Conclusion
While it’s impractical to pin down an exact number, there are likely hundreds of distinct types of legal documents across the major categories, with thousands of variations when accounting for jurisdictional and situational differences. For a more specific answer, could you clarify the context (e.g., a particular country, legal field, or purpose)? I can narrow it down further if needed.

🧶 “What is the potential that artificial intelligence tools provide to better serve the average citizen without incurring the high cost of legal services?”

🕵️‍♂️ Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have significant potential to enhance access to legal services for the average citizen by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and democratizing access to legal information and assistance. Below, I outline the key ways AI can achieve this, the challenges involved, and the potential impact on affordability and accessibility, while keeping the response concise and focused.
👁️ Potential of AI Tools in Legal Services
Automated Legal Document Preparation
How it works: AI platforms like Rocket Lawyer, LegalZoom, or DoNotPay can generate legal documents (e.g., contracts, wills, leases) using templates and user inputs. These tools use natural language processing (NLP) to customize documents to meet specific needs.
Impact: Reduces costs from hundreds or thousands of dollars for attorney-drafted documents to $10–$100 for AI-generated ones. For example, a basic will might cost $20–$50 via AI versus $300+ with a lawyer.
Example: A small business owner can create a legally sound partnership agreement without hiring an attorney.
Legal Research and Guidance
How it works: AI tools like ROSS Intelligence or my own capabilities (e.g., analyzing legal texts or searching for relevant laws) provide quick access to legal information, case law, or statutes. Chatbots can answer basic legal questions in plain language.
Impact: Eliminates the need for costly consultations for straightforward issues, saving $100–$500 per hour of attorney time. Citizens can research tenant rights or contract terms for free or at low cost.
Example: A tenant uses an AI chatbot to understand eviction laws, avoiding a $200 consultation.
Dispute Resolution and Negotiation
How it works: AI platforms like Modria or Smartsettle facilitate online dispute resolution by analyzing claims and suggesting fair settlements. Some tools can even negotiate on behalf of users (e.g., DoNotPay’s parking ticket appeals).
Impact: Resolves minor disputes (e.g., consumer complaints, small claims) for $0–$50, compared to $1,000+ for litigation or attorney mediation.
Example: An AI tool negotiates a refund for a defective product, saving the user from small claims court costs.
Access to Pro Bono or Low-Cost Services
How it works: AI can connect users to pro bono legal aid or low-cost services by assessing eligibility and matching needs with available resources (e.g., Legal Aid’s AI triage systems).
Impact: Bridges the gap for low-income individuals who can’t afford traditional services, potentially reducing costs to $0 for qualifying cases.
Example: An AI system directs a domestic violence survivor to free legal aid for a restraining order.
Predictive Analytics for Legal Outcomes
How it works: AI tools like Lex Machina analyze case data to predict outcomes, helping users decide whether to pursue a case or settle. This is particularly useful in divorce, custody, or small claims cases.
Impact: Saves money by avoiding unwinnable cases, which could otherwise cost $5,000–$50,000 in legal fees.
Example: A user learns their contract dispute has a low chance of success, avoiding costly litigation.
Translation and Accessibility
How it works: AI can translate legal documents or explain complex terms in simple language, making legal systems more accessible to non-native speakers or those with limited literacy.
Impact: Reduces barriers for underserved communities, potentially saving costs on interpreters ($50–$200/hour) or attorney explanations.
Example: An immigrant uses an AI tool to translate and understand a lease agreement.
👁️ Challenges and Limitations
Accuracy and Complexity: AI struggles with nuanced or highly complex cases (e.g., multi-jurisdictional disputes), requiring human expertise. Errors could lead to costly mistakes.
Ethical Concerns: Overreliance on AI may depersonalize sensitive issues like family law or criminal defense.
Access Barriers: Not all citizens have internet access or digital literacy, limiting AI’s reach.
Regulation: Some jurisdictions restrict AI in legal practice (e.g., unauthorized practice of law), which could limit deployment.
Bias: AI systems trained on historical data may perpetuate biases, affecting fairness in outcomes.
👁️ Potential Impact on the Average Citizen
Cost Reduction: AI can reduce legal service costs by 50–90% for routine tasks like document drafting or basic advice. For example, a $1,000 attorney-drafted contract might cost $50 via AI.
Time Savings: AI delivers instant or near-instant results, compared to days or weeks for traditional legal services.
Increased Access: Citizens in rural or underserved areas can access legal tools without traveling to urban law firms.
Empowerment: AI educates users about their rights, enabling informed decisions without full reliance on lawyers.
Scalability: AI can serve millions simultaneously, unlike human attorneys, making legal help more widely available.
👁️ Real-World Examples
DoNotPay: Known as the “world’s first robot lawyer,” it has helped users contest parking tickets, cancel subscriptions, and file small claims for a low subscription fee ($36/year).
LegalZoom: Offers AI-driven document creation and legal advice for $10–$150, compared to $500+ for attorney services.
Courtroom5: Uses AI to guide pro se litigants through court processes, saving thousands in attorney fees.
Grok (xAI): Tools like me can provide real-time legal information or analyze documents, reducing research costs.
👁️ Future Potential
As AI advances, we can expect:
More sophisticated NLP for handling complex legal queries.
Integration with blockchain for secure, verifiable contracts.
Expanded pro bono matching via AI triage systems.
Greater adoption by courts for e-filing and case management, reducing bureaucratic costs.
👁️ Conclusion
AI tools have transformative potential to make legal services more affordable and accessible for the average citizen, cutting costs by up to 90% for routine tasks and empowering users with knowledge and tools. While challenges like accuracy and access remain, ongoing advancements in AI (like my own capabilities) are rapidly closing these gaps.

If this topic interests you, listen to …

"Intelligent AI Policy with Anindya Sen and Rosalie Wyonch" by The CDHI Podcast
Law Bytes with Michael Geist, University of Ottawa, Professor of Law

Cause for optimism❓

It seems from GROK’s comments that average citizens may be able to better navigate today’s monopoly legal system in the future as the AI tools improve.

It’s about time‼️

We have been held hostage by the “legal class” for much too long‼️

While AI is unlikely to replace lawyers and lawmakers in my lifetime, it seems quite possible that future generations will have many competing options to address and support their ‘rights’ and ‘obligations‘.

The size, cost and scope of the existing legal monopoly institutions, and their participating professionals, are just beginning to undergo an unprecedented market erosion caused by competent users of these evolving tools.
I won’t be shedding any tears for the lawyers who fail to adapt to these new realities.

A competing scenario.

I don’t suppose that the Legal Monopolies will give up their powers or highpriced earnings potential without a fight.

Lawyers have enormous advantages over the average Canadian given that they created the Legal System, know it intricacies intimately, and control/influence the processes by which legislative changes are made.

Free market AI entrepreneurs will be everywhere in the future, and many will apply their trade to find the ways to throw sand in the gears of the current Legal machinery.

A existential battle has begun: