Documentation
How to use Pactora
Upload a contract, get clause-by-clause risk flags, and walk into negotiation with a clear position.
Quick start
- 1
Choose which side you're on
Pactora calibrates risk thresholds based on whether you're the supplier (service provider) or the buyer (client). Selecting the wrong side will produce results skewed toward the other party's interests.
- 2
Upload your contract
PDF, DOCX, or DOC. Text is extracted immediately — no account required for a first analysis. If your PDF is scanned or image-based, allow a few extra seconds for AI vision extraction.
- 3
Set jurisdiction and context
Select the governing law jurisdiction and optionally enter the annual contract value (ACV) and liability cap if known. These numbers are used to benchmark cap adequacy and generate precise negotiation positions.
- 4
Read the results
Results stream in clause by clause. Each flag shows the exact contract text, a plain-English explanation, the risk level, and a three-position negotiation ladder.
- 5
Suggest and export redlines
Click "Suggest redline" on any flagged clause to generate alternative language. Accept redlines to build a tracked-changes DOCX ready to send back to the other side.
Risk levels
Each flagged clause is assigned one of three risk levels.
The clause exposes you to significant, concrete risk. Push back before signing.
The clause is one-sided or missing standard protections. Worth negotiating if you have leverage.
The clause departs from market norms in a minor way. Note it but unlikely to be a dealbreaker.
The negotiation ladder
Every flagged clause comes with three positions — not just "here is the problem".
Your opening position. The ideal outcome — push for this first.
Your credible middle ground. Acceptable if the other side won't move all the way.
The minimum you should accept. Beyond this, escalate to legal.
Each position includes a ready-to-use script you can drop into an email or use in a call.
Clause reference
What each of the eight clause types covers and what triggers a flag.
Liability Cap
Limits the maximum amount either party can be held liable for under the contract.
Flagged when: A cap set below 1× your annual contract value, no mutual cap, or no cap at all.
Indemnities
Requires one party to cover the other's legal costs or losses if a specific event occurs.
Flagged when: "Notwithstanding any other provision" language that bypasses the liability cap, or a one-sided indemnity with no reciprocal obligation.
IP Ownership
Defines who owns intellectual property created during or arising from the contract.
Flagged when: Broad assignment of all IP to the other side, including background IP or reusable methodologies you brought to the engagement.
Data Protection
Sets out data handling obligations, breach notification duties, and sub-processor rules.
Flagged when: No breach notification window, uncapped data protection liability, or no obligation to return data on termination.
Termination Rights
Controls when and how either party can end the contract.
Flagged when: No termination for convenience right, very short notice periods, or asymmetric rights that heavily favour one side.
Auto-Renewal
Causes the contract to renew automatically unless a party actively opts out.
Flagged when: Short opt-out windows (under 30 days), no advance notice requirement, or renewal at higher rates.
Fee Increases
Allows one party to raise fees during the contract term.
Flagged when: Uncapped increases, no notice requirement, or increases tied to an index with no cap.
Governing Law
Determines which jurisdiction's courts and laws apply if a dispute arises.
Flagged when: A jurisdiction that gives the other side a home advantage, or a mismatch with where you operate.
Frequently asked questions
Does Pactora give legal advice?
No. Pactora identifies clause patterns and flags risk against known market norms. It is not a law firm and does not create a solicitor-client relationship. For decisions with significant financial or legal consequence, review the output with a qualified lawyer.
What file formats are supported?
PDF (text-based and scanned), DOCX, and legacy DOC files up to 20 MB. For scanned PDFs, Pactora uses AI vision to extract the text — this may take a few seconds longer.
Which jurisdictions are supported?
England & Wales, Scotland, India, Germany, and France. Selecting the right jurisdiction calibrates the risk thresholds and legal references to the applicable law. If your jurisdiction is not listed, select the closest equivalent and treat jurisdiction-specific findings as indicative.
How long does an analysis take?
Typically 15–45 seconds. Results stream in clause by clause as each agent completes — you do not need to wait for all eight to finish before reading the first results.
Can Pactora handle long contracts?
Yes. Contracts over 120,000 characters are automatically split into overlapping chunks and analysed in sections. Results are merged and deduplicated before being shown to you.
What does "Clause not detected" mean?
Pactora could not find that clause type in your contract. This could mean the clause is genuinely absent (common for short NDAs or order forms), or that it uses unusual language the agent did not recognise. It does not mean the contract is safe — the absence of a clause can itself be a risk.
How accurate is the analysis?
Pactora cross-checks every extracted clause text against the original document before flagging it — reducing hallucinated findings. Accuracy varies by contract complexity and clarity. Always read the flagged clause text in context; do not rely solely on Pactora's plain-English summary.
Is my contract stored?
Contract text is processed in memory and used to run the analysis. Anonymised clause patterns (with identifying details removed) may be stored to improve detection accuracy over time. See the Privacy Policy for full details.