All insights / Data and policy

Practical guide

Distinguish commercial preparation from legal advice

Describe the product’s actual functions before deciding what claims or review it needs.

ContractCanvas insights

Describe what the software does

A tool that stores a user’s fee and scope differs from a service that recommends legal rights or drafts individualized legal advice. Describe the input, logic, output and human review for each function. Calling a service a platform does not answer the regulatory question.

Check the relevant authority

The Law Society of British Columbia describes restrictions and risks associated with unlicensed legal services and identifies limited authorized arrangements. The applicable assessment depends on the actual service and jurisdiction. A disclaimer cannot substitute for reviewing the conduct and representations.

Prepare a specific enquiry

Supply the proposed paid configuration, sample outputs, marketing claims, users and professional-review arrangements. Ask which functions need further review or a different arrangement. Avoid a vague request to confirm that all software is exempt.

State the current boundary

ContractCanvas’s local beta demonstrates commercial fields, calculations, entered review decisions and draft documents. It does not supply a lawyer, legal opinion or signature service. A later model-assisted or hosted offer needs a fresh function-specific assessment before its scope and promises are finalized.

Sources checked

Law Society of BC: unauthorized practice · checked 16 October 2026

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