Selecting Sources for Ask Responses

When using Ask, selecting a source helps Lexlegis.ai generate more accurate, relevant, and context-aware legal answers.
This article explains what source selection means, how each source type works, and how to choose the right one based on your use case.

1. What Does “Select a Source” Mean?

Selecting a source tells Lexlegis.ai where it should look before answering your question.

Depending on your selection, Ask can:

• Search within Lexlegis.ai legal databases
• Analyse documents stored in your folders
• Refer only to selected websites
• Or act as a general legal research assistant

Choosing the right source improves precision, traceability, and reliability of responses.

2. Source Options Available in Ask

You can choose from three source types:

• Database
• Folder
• Web

You may select one or more sources within a tab.

Note:
If no source is selected, Ask treats your query as a general research question and functions as Legal Chat.

3. Database Source

Use Database when your question should be answered using Lexlegis’ structured legal databases.

3.1 How it works

• Select one or more databases (for example, Direct Tax or Indirect Tax).
• Ask limits its inference strictly to the selected database(s).

3.2 Best used for

• Statutory interpretation
• Tax and regulatory queries
• Doctrinal legal research
• Jurisdiction- or subject-specific questions

Example

“What are the conditions for claiming deductions under Section 80C?”

4. Folder Source

Use Folder when your question relates to documents stored in your library.

4.1 How it works

• Browse or search folders in your library.
• Select one or more folders using the checkbox.
• Ask analyses only the files inside the selected folders.

You can:

• Navigate through existing folder hierarchies
• Select multiple folders
• Use the search bar to quickly find folders
• Add files to existing folders, if required

4.2 Uploading Files While Selecting Folder Sources

While selecting folders as a source in Ask, you can also upload new files directly from this screen.

4.2.1 How file upload works here

From the Folder source selection view, you can:

• Upload one or more files using the Upload option
• Choose an existing folder to store the uploaded files
• Add tags to uploaded files for easier identification

Once uploaded, these files immediately become part of the selected folder and can be used as sources for your Ask query.

4.2.2 Important limitations to note

• You can upload files, but you cannot create, rename, or reorganise folders from this screen
• Folder structure is fixed at this stage
• Folder creation and management must be done from the Library

This design ensures that Ask remains focused on research and querying, while the Library remains the central place for organising content.

4.2.3 When this is useful

Uploading files at this step is helpful when:

• You need to quickly add a document received externally
• A required document is missing from your Library
• You want to avoid leaving the Ask workflow to upload files

For managing folder structure or reorganising documents, use the Library.

4.3 Best used for

• Reviewing contracts, agreements, or notices
• Asking questions about uploaded documents
• Analysing internal or client-specific material

Example

“What are the termination obligations in these service contracts?”

5. Web Source

Use Web when your question should be answered only using specific websites.

5.1 How it works

• Websites are organised into folders in Library.
• Select one or more website folders using the checkbox, or expand a folder to choose specific websites.
• Ask limits its analysis strictly to the selected websites and does not rely on any other sources.

You can:

• Search for website folders
• Add new websites using the + option
• Group websites by jurisdiction or topic

5.2 Adding Websites While Selecting Web Sources

While selecting Web as a source in Ask, you can also add new websites directly from this screen.

5.2.1 How website addition works here

From the Web source selection view, you can:

• Add a new website URL using the Add Website option
• Assign the website to an existing website folder
• Provide a website name, description, and tags

Once saved, the website becomes immediately available for selection and can be used as a source for your Ask query.

5.2.2 Important limitations to note

• You can add websites, but you cannot create, rename, or restructure website folders from this screen
• Website folders must already exist
• Folder creation and organisation are handled exclusively in the Library.

This ensures that web research in Ask remains controlled and source-focused, while structural management stays centralised.

5.2.3 When this is useful

Adding websites at this stage is useful when:

• You need to reference a new regulator, authority, or official portal
• A trusted website is missing from your existing folders
• You want to continue your research without leaving the Ask workflow

To create new website folders or reorganise existing ones, go to the Library.

5.3 Best used for

• Regulatory authority websites
• Government portals
• Trusted institutional or official sources

Example

“What is the latest compliance requirement as per this regulator’s website?”

6. What Happens If You Don’t Select Any Source?

If no source is selected:

• Ask treats your query as a general research question
• The system functions as Legal Chat
• Responses may be broader and less constrained

6.1 Recommended when

• You are exploring a topic
• You want a general legal overview
• You are not referring to specific documents or authorities

7. How to Choose the Right Source

Use this guide:

8. Best Practices

• Select a source whenever accuracy matters
  Source selection narrows inference and improves relevance.
• Avoid selecting unrelated folders or websites
  Mixing unrelated sources may dilute responses.
• Match your question to the source
  Document-specific questions work best with Folder selection.

9. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using Database for questions about uploaded documents
• Forgetting to select Folder or Web for source-specific queries
• Selecting too many unrelated folders or websites
• Expecting document-level answers without selecting a source