legal_ask_followup_question

Instructions

Implementation Reference

• src/index.ts:94-131 (registration)

  Defines the LEGAL_ASK_FOLLOWUP_QUESTION_TOOL constant with the tool's name 'legal_ask_followup_question', detailed description, and inputSchema for MCP registration.

  const LEGAL_ASK_FOLLOWUP_QUESTION_TOOL: Tool = {
    name: "legal_ask_followup_question",
    description: `A specialized tool for asking follow-up questions in legal contexts.
  This tool helps gather additional information needed for legal analysis by formulating precise questions with domain-specific options.
  
  When to use this tool:
  - When you need additional information to complete a legal analysis
  - When clarification is needed on specific legal points
  - When gathering evidence or documentation for a legal case
  - When exploring alternative legal interpretations
  
  Key features:
  - Automatic detection of legal domains
  - Domain-specific question suggestions
  - Legal terminology formatting
  - Structured options for efficient information gathering`,
    inputSchema: {
      type: "object",
      properties: {
        question: {
          type: "string",
          description: "The legal question to ask the user"
        },
        options: {
          type: "array",
          items: {
            type: "string"
          },
          description: "An array of 2-5 options for the user to choose from (optional)"
        },
        context: {
          type: "string",
          description: "Additional context about the legal issue (optional)"
        }
      },
      required: ["question"]
    }
  };

• src/index.ts:111-130 (schema)

  The inputSchema object specifying the tool's parameters: required 'question' string, optional 'options' array of strings (2-5), and optional 'context' string.

    type: "object",
    properties: {
      question: {
        type: "string",
        description: "The legal question to ask the user"
      },
      options: {
        type: "array",
        items: {
          type: "string"
        },
        description: "An array of 2-5 options for the user to choose from (optional)"
      },
      context: {
        type: "string",
        description: "Additional context about the legal issue (optional)"
      }
    },
    required: ["question"]
  }

• src/index.ts:605-676 (handler)

  The processLegalAskFollowupQuestion function that implements the tool logic: validates input, detects legal domain from question/context, suggests domain-specific options if none provided, formats the question with legal terminology, and returns a JSON response with question, options, and detectedDomain.

  function processLegalAskFollowupQuestion(input: unknown): { content: Array<{ type: string; text: string }>; isError?: boolean } {
    try {
      const data = input as Record<string, unknown>;
      
      // Validate input
      if (!data.question || typeof data.question !== 'string') {
        throw new Error('Invalid question: must be a string');
      }
      
      // Detect domain from question and context
      const textToAnalyze = data.context 
        ? `${data.question} ${data.context}`
        : data.question as string;
      const domain = detectDomain(textToAnalyze);
      
      // If no options provided, suggest domain-specific options
      let options = data.options as string[];
      if (!options || options.length === 0) {
        options = domainQuestionTemplates[domain] || domainQuestionTemplates["legal_reasoning"];
        options = options.slice(0, 4); // Return up to 4 options
      }
      
      // Format the question with legal terminology
      let question = data.question as string;
      
      // Add domain-specific legal terminology if not present
      if (domain === 'ansc_contestation') {
        if (!question.includes('procurement') && !question.includes('tender') && !question.includes('ANSC')) {
          question = question.replace(/specifications/i, 'procurement specifications');
          question = question.replace(/requirements/i, 'tender requirements');
        }
      } else if (domain === 'consumer_protection') {
        if (!question.includes('warranty') && !question.includes('consumer')) {
          question = question.replace(/product/i, 'consumer product');
          question = question.replace(/refund/i, 'consumer refund');
        }
      } else if (domain === 'contract_analysis') {
        if (!question.includes('clause') && !question.includes('contract')) {
          question = question.replace(/agreement/i, 'contractual agreement');
          question = question.replace(/terms/i, 'contractual terms');
        }
      }
      
      // Ensure question ends with a question mark
      if (!question.endsWith('?')) {
        question += '?';
      }
      
      // Prepare response
      return {
        content: [{
          type: "text",
          text: JSON.stringify({
            question,
            options,
            detectedDomain: domain
          }, null, 2)
        }]
      };
    } catch (error) {
      return {
        content: [{
          type: "text",
          text: JSON.stringify({
            error: error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error),
            status: 'failed'
          }, null, 2)
        }],
        isError: true
      };
    }
  }

• src/index.ts:836-838 (registration)

  Dispatch logic in the CallToolRequestSchema handler: checks if request.params.name === 'legal_ask_followup_question' and calls the processLegalAskFollowupQuestion handler.

  if (request.params.name === "legal_ask_followup_question") {
    return processLegalAskFollowupQuestion(request.params.arguments);
  }

• src/index.ts:323-348 (helper)

  domainQuestionTemplates: Hardcoded array of domain-specific followup question options used when no options are provided in input.

  const domainQuestionTemplates: Record<string, string[]> = {
    ansc_contestation: [
      "What specific provisions of Law 131/2015 are relevant to this contestation?",
      "Are there any ANSC precedent decisions that address similar technical specifications?",
      "What documentation has the contracting authority provided to justify the specifications?",
      "Has the claimant provided evidence that the specifications are unnecessarily restrictive?"
    ],
    consumer_protection: [
      "What are the exact terms of the warranty as stated in the documentation?",
      "Has the retailer provided any evidence to support their claim of improper use?",
      "When exactly did the product failure occur relative to the purchase date?",
      "Are there any similar cases or precedents regarding this type of product failure?"
    ],
    contract_analysis: [
      "What are the key obligations of each party under this contract?",
      "Are there any ambiguous terms that require clarification?",
      "What termination provisions exist in the contract?",
      "Are there any potentially unenforceable clauses in this agreement?"
    ],
    legal_reasoning: [
      "What are the key facts that need to be established for this analysis?",
      "Which legal provisions are most relevant to this situation?",
      "Are there any precedents that should be considered?",
      "What counterarguments should be anticipated?"
    ]
  };