Tools for intelligent decision support system development in the legal domain

In this paper we describe tools that are particularly suited to the development of knowledge based systems in the domain of law. The first tool is a conceptual model that supports the categorization of legal tasks. Once categorized, tasks can be mapped onto to the most appropriate artificial reasoning model (if any) for computer based implementation. This scheme is based on theoretical and cultural perspectives that have currency in the legal domain yet may have less relevance in other domains. The second tool, we call the sequenced transition network, involves reducing the involvement of a knowledge engineer so that domain experts can more easily develop and maintain their own knowledge bases.