Legal research has long been about knowing where to look. With vast databases of case law, legislation, and expert commentary, finding the right information is often a process of searching, filtering, and piecing together answers. KAILA, the new AI legal assistant from the Danish Karnov Group, is designed to change that process – not by replacing legal expertise, but by making it easier to access and apply.
From Search Engine to Legal Assistant
For years, Karnov Online has been a go-to resource for legal professionals, offering structured access to Danish legal texts, regulations, and case law. But as legal workflows become more complex, merely searching for information isn’t always enough.
KAILA builds on this foundation by adding AI-driven analysis to Karnov’s extensive database. Instead of simply retrieving sources, the system reads and structures legal information to present a more complete answer to user queries. It helps identify relevant laws, highlights key arguments, and connects the dots between different legal sources relevant to Denmark – while ensuring every response is backed by verifiable references within the KAILA database (and thereby avoiding hallucinations).
How It Works
Using KAILA is a step beyond traditional keyword searches. Users can enter a legal question, refine their query through follow-ups, and receive a structured summary with supporting references. The AI doesn’t generate its own conclusions but instead compiles information from Karnov’s trusted legal sources, keeping everything grounded in verifiable data.
The assistant also helps with tasks like:
- Drafting legal texts and summaries
- Compiling key sources for legal arguments
- Analyzing case law and legislation
- Preparing research notes or meeting briefs
KAILA’s AI-driven Q&A module allows users to adjust and refine results, ensuring that the final output aligns with their needs.
Transparency and Trust
One of the challenges with AI in legal research is ensuring reliability. Karnov has taken a transparent approach in developing KAILA, involving its customers and legal experts throughout the process. Beta tests, webinars, and customer feedback sessions have shaped the tool, helping it function as a practical assistant rather than a black-box solution. This way, you know what you are signing up for, and more importantly, you know what’s being implemented within your organization.
Unlike AI models that pull from a broad mix of sources, KAILA is trained exclusively on Karnov’s legal database. That means no external, unverified content that could have the user’s work come into question later down the line – just carefully curated legal information from trusted sources.
A New Tool for a Familiar Process
KAILA isn’t about reinventing legal research, but rather about making existing workflows more efficient and structured. Whether helping to organize legal arguments, extract relevant precedents, or streamline background research, the tool is designed to complement legal professionals, not change how they work.
For those already familiar with Karnov Online, KAILA is a step forward in usability, offering AI-powered assistance while keeping legal expertise front and center.
