Looking for an alternative to Westlaw for Australian legal research?
Westlaw is a comprehensive legal research platform with decades of curated content. If you want AI research that combines natural language queries with weekly-updated Australian case law and modern workflow integrations, Quillio offers a different approach.
Quillio provides AI legal research across all AU/NZ jurisdictions, updated weekly. Instead of Boolean searches through a database, you ask questions in natural language and receive structured answers with verified citations. Full Australian data sovereignty, practice management integrations, and features beyond research — document review, drafting, chronologies, and dictation.
What Westlaw does well
Westlaw is Thomson Reuters' flagship legal research platform, serving lawyers globally for decades. It offers an enormous curated database of case law, legislation, secondary sources, and practice materials. Westlaw has recently added AI-enhanced search and analysis features. It is a trusted platform with deep editorial content, particularly strong in US jurisdictions but with Australian content through Westlaw AU.
Decades of curated legal content with trusted editorial annotations and headnotes
Decades of curated legal content with trusted editorial annotations and headnotes
Enormous database of case law, legislation, and secondary sources across jurisdictions
Enormous database of case law, legislation, and secondary sources across jurisdictions
Established credibility with courts and practitioners as a reliable legal research source
Established credibility with courts and practitioners as a reliable legal research source
Why Australian lawyers consider alternatives
AI-native research experience
If you prefer asking questions in natural language and receiving structured, cited answers rather than constructing Boolean searches across a database, an AI-native research platform offers a different and often faster workflow.
Modern workflow integration
If you want your research tool integrated directly with your practice management system and Microsoft Word rather than operating as a standalone database, you may prefer a platform built for modern legal workflows.
Broader AI capabilities
If you need document review, drafting assistance, automated chronologies, and voice dictation alongside research — rather than just a research database — a comprehensive legal AI platform provides more in one subscription.
Pricing accessibility
If you need transparent per-user pricing with a free trial rather than complex database licensing, a more straightforward pricing model may suit smaller practices.
What Quillio offers instead
AI-native research
Ask questions in natural language. Receive structured answers with verified citations. No Boolean search syntax required.
Beyond research — full legal AI
Document review, drafting assistance, automated chronologies, voice dictation, plus research — all in one platform.
Practice management integrations
Connects with Smokeball, Clio, LEAP, Actionstep, plus a Microsoft Word add-in. Research embedded in your workflow.
Australian data sovereignty
All data processed and stored within Australia. SOC 2 Type II + ISO 27001 certified.
Transparent pricing
Per-user pricing published on the website with a free trial. No complex database licensing or long-term lock-in.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Quillio | Westlaw |
|---|---|---|
| Research approach | AI-native — natural language questions with cited answers | Database search — Boolean and natural language |
| AU case law coverage | All jurisdictions, updated weekly | Westlaw AU content — comprehensive but update frequency varies |
| Beyond research | Document review, drafting, chronologies, dictation | Primarily a research database |
| Practice management integrations | Smokeball, Clio, LEAP, Actionstep & more | Limited PMS integration |
| Microsoft Word add-in | Yes — research and draft inside Word | Some Word integration features |
| Mobile app | iOS and Android with full features | Web-based with some mobile access |
| Pricing model | Per-user, published, free trial | Database licensing — contact sales |
| Data sovereignty | Australian-hosted — data never leaves AU | Thomson Reuters infrastructure |
How to switch
- 1
Start your free trial
Sign up for Quillio with no credit card. Run the same research queries you use in Westlaw and compare the results and experience.
- 2
Compare citation depth
Test jurisdiction-specific research across different practice areas. Note the citations, currency, and ease of finding relevant authorities.
- 3
Explore additional features
Try document review, drafting assistance, and chronology creation — capabilities beyond what a research database provides.
- 4
Transition at your own pace
Many firms run both platforms during transition. Move fully when you are confident Quillio meets your research needs.
Frequently asked questions
Can Quillio replace Westlaw for legal research?
Quillio provides AI legal research across all AU/NZ jurisdictions, updated weekly. It offers a different approach — natural language questions with structured, cited answers — rather than traditional database searches. Many firms find it meets their research needs while adding document review, drafting, and other capabilities.
How current is Quillio's legal database?
Quillio is updated weekly with new Australian and New Zealand legislation, case law, and regulatory materials across all jurisdictions. This ensures you are working with current authorities.
Does Quillio have secondary sources like Westlaw?
Quillio focuses on primary sources — case law, legislation, and regulations — with AI analysis. If you rely heavily on specific secondary source commentary, you may wish to maintain access to those resources alongside Quillio.
Is Quillio as reliable as Westlaw for citations?
Quillio returns verified citations from real AU/NZ legal databases. Every case and legislation reference is real and verifiable. The platform is designed for professional legal practice with accuracy as a core requirement.
Can I try Quillio without cancelling Westlaw?
Absolutely. Start a free trial and run both side-by-side. Many firms transition gradually, keeping Westlaw for specific secondary sources while using Quillio for day-to-day AI research and broader legal AI tasks.
Does Quillio offer more than research?
Yes. Quillio includes document review, AI drafting assistance, automated chronology creation, voice-to-text dictation, a mobile app, practice management integrations, and a Microsoft Word add-in — all trained on Australian law.
Try Quillio free — no credit card.
Test it on your own matters. Compare the results. See if it fits your practice. No commitment, no sales calls, no procurement cycle.
Start your free trial