System L: Toward System 2-Style Legal Reasoning
Chuanyi Li, Yi Feng, Vincent Ng
Abstract
Dual-system theory distinguishes between fast, intuitive System 1 and slow, deliberative System 2. While this dichotomy describes many forms of reasoning, it oversimplifies the reality of expert legal reasoning. Legal reasoning is not merely a process of slow, logical deliberation. It is intrinsically normative, embedding precedent analysis, statutory interpretation, policy balancing, and social values. This paper envisions a reasoning architecture for legal reasoning, System L (Legal System 2), which extends traditional System 2 by integrating domain-specific normative frameworks in a structured manner. Using the IRAC (Issue–Rule–Application–Conclusion) structure as a backbone model, System L represents a blueprint for the next generation of cognitive and AI systems capable of human-like legal reasoning.
BibTeX
@inproceedings{aaai2026_systemltowardsys,
title = {System L: Toward System 2-Style Legal Reasoning},
author = {Chuanyi Li and Yi Feng and Vincent Ng},
booktitle = {AAAI 2026},
year = {2026}
}