ChatGPT Prompts for Contract Drafting: 12 Outlines

ChatGPT prompt for contract drafting work helps you turn deal facts, must-have terms, and playbook clause titles into a section map and open-issue list before counsel writes signature-ready prose. These prompts outline structure; they do not invent statutes, citations, or "standard" percentages. This is not legal advice. A licensed attorney must review before any signature.

Not legal advice. Have a licensed attorney review every draft before anyone signs. Never paste confidential client details into a public chat.

Capture the deal before you outline

1. Deal facts one-pager

Turn these notes into a deal-facts one-pager (parties, scope, term, fees as stated): [notes]. Quote numbers exactly. Mark anything missing as blank. Do not invent terms.

2. Must-have versus nice-to-have split

From [term list], split must-have commercial terms vs nice-to-have. Use only labels the parties already used. No new commercial inventing.

3. Playbook title matcher

Playbook clause titles: [titles]. Deal facts: [facts]. Map each must-have term to a playbook title or mark "needs counsel topic".

Build the drafting outline

4. Section order map

Propose a section order for this [agreement type] using [deal facts] and [playbook titles]. Label each section from playbook, from deal facts, or needs counsel.

5. Term-sheet outline bullets

For each section in [map], list bullets that must appear using only [deal facts], [must-haves], and pasted [playbook snippets]. Do not write full legal prose.

6. Defined-terms starter

List defined-term candidates from nouns that actually appear in [inputs]. Do not invent defined terms for concepts not mentioned.

Find gaps and counterpart differences

7. Counterpart gap list

Our must-haves: [list]. Counterpart notes or redlines: [notes]. List gaps and conflicts only. No guessing what the other side "usually" wants.

8. Risk topic brief for counsel

Risk topics to flag: [topics]. For each, write 3 bullets of facts we already know and 2 questions counsel should decide. No legal conclusions.

9. Banned promise scrub

Scrub this outline draft for [banned promises] and absolute words like unlimited or guarantee unless they appear in [inputs]: [draft].

Hand off to counsel

10. Lawyer-review checklist

From [open issues] and missing [governing law/venue], write a checklist of decisions counsel must make before prose drafting.

11. Negotiation email to counsel

Summarize [open issues] in a short email to outside counsel asking for options on the top 3 points only. Attach no confidential extras beyond [facts].

12. Drafting vs review splitter

Explain in 5 lines how this outlining task differs from reviewing an existing signed contract, using [our outline] vs [pasted clauses to review] as examples.

Run the full outline with one prompt

The flagship Contract Drafting Outline From Deal Facts and Terms builds the document map, term-sheet outline, open issues, defined-terms starter, and lawyer-review checklist in one pass. Its example outlines a supply agreement for custom brackets with warranty and liability-cap open points.

Already have counterpart paper to review instead? Use the contract review red-flag memo and the contract review prompts guide.

Related prompts

For memos from research notes, see legal writing memo draft and legal writing prompts. Research plans: legal research plan. Freelance SOWs: freelance SOW risk memo.

Reviewing an agreement you already received? See ChatGPT prompts for contract review.

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