The 10-Step Chain
Decomposing research execution into deterministic contracts across four logical phases.
Functional "Contracts"
LegalChain evaluates models through a dependent chain of 10 steps. Each step acts as a "contract": it takes specific inputs (often from previous steps) and must produce a verified output.
Rule Phase
Identify, retrieve, and validate legal authority.
Application
Extract facts and apply precedent through distinction.
Synthesis
Synthesize analysis and verify citation integrity.
Advanced
Transitive reasoning and evidentiary grounding.
Step Definitions
| Step | Name | Task | Ground Truth |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | Citation ID | Extract case metadata from opinion text. | SCDB |
| S2 | Unknown Authority | Find cases citing the anchor case. | Shepard's Cite Network |
| S3 | Validation | Report overruling status (Dual-Channel). | SCDB + Shepard's |
| S4 | Fact Extraction | Extract disposition and winning party. | SCDB Codes |
| S5 | Treatment | Predict treatment relationship (Target vs. Citing). | Shepard's agree field |
| S6 | Synthesis (CB) | Synthesis from extracted artifacts (Reasoning). | MEE Rubric |
| S7 | Synthesis (OB) | Synthesis with full ResearchPack (RAG). | Integration Delta |
| S8 | Integrity Gate | FAB gate: Verify no fabricated citations. | Deterministic Registry |
| S9 | Transitive Auth. | Trace precedent A → B → C triangle. | Jurisdictional Weight |
| S10 | Evidentiary | Outcome prediction from oral arguments. | Oyez Transcripts |
Transitive Reasoning
Steps S9 and S10 represent the advanced frontier of the 10-step chain. While S1-S8 test the standard IRAC memo workflow, S9 and S10 test deeper doctrinal understanding—determining how a court's reasoning propagates through a network of citing decisions.