Copilot Tips

How to Instruct Copilot for Professional Liquidator Documents

This guidance explains how to instruct Microsoft Copilot to produce professional, legally conservative documents suitable for distribution by Australian Registered Liquidators.

1. The Core Principle

Copilot produces its best results when clearly told:

• Who you are

• Who the audience is

• The required legal and professional posture

Example (recommended):

You are acting as a Registered Liquidator in Australia preparing a formal report to unsecured creditors under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). The tone must be neutral, factual, conservative, and suitable for distribution without further legal review.

2. The Five Mandatory Elements to Include

1. Role and Jurisdiction

Always identify your role and the Australian context. This prevents U.S.-centric or generic insolvency language.

• Registered Liquidator (Australia)

• External Administrator under the Corporations Act 2001

• Voluntary Administrator / Liquidator / Small Business Restructuring Practitioner

2. Intended Audience

Be explicit. Copilot adjusts tone and terminology based on audience.

• Unsecured creditors

• Secured creditors (banks)

• ASIC

• The Court

• Solicitors or directors

3. Legal Posture

Specify how assertive the document may be.

• Informational only

• Preliminary assessment

• Opinion stated with evidence

• Statutory notice-style language

4. Tone Constraints

Use both positive and negative instructions.

Tone must be impartial, non-accusatory, and free of emotive or speculative language. Avoid implying misconduct unless explicitly supported.

5. Output Constraints

• Maximum length (pages or words)

• Required headings

• Plain English

• Australian spelling

3. Reusable Gold-Standard Prompt Template

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4. Common Use Examples

Creditor Circular

Suitable for appointment notices and updates.

Investigations / Initial Findings

Ensure language is preliminary and qualified, with clear limitations.

Director Correspondence

Maintain a firm, neutral, non‑confrontational tone and avoid implied blame.

5. Critical Risk‑Reduction Technique

Always run a second instruction:

Review the draft from the perspective of a Registered Liquidator and remove any speculative, emotive, or legally assertive language.

6. Recommended Workflow

1. Paste raw notes or bullet points

2. Run a structured Copilot prompt

3. Run a risk‑review prompt

4. Add firm‑specific disclaimers and identifiers

7. Key Reminder

Copilot should be treated as a drafting assistant only. Professional judgement remains with the Liquidator.