find_definition

Returns every recorded definition of a term in one title, with the provision that defines it and the scope it applies to. An Act often defines a word once generally and again for one Part, so the tool returns them all rather than choosing one.

Parameters

Notes

• applies_to says where a definition applies, for example "the whole Act, unless the contrary intention appears".
• Excerpts only. definition_excerpt is the definition's text; fetch the defining provision in full with get_provision_text using its provision_id.
• Coverage is partial. Absence is not proof a term is undefined. If nothing comes back, search for the interpretation section with search_provisions.
• Standards held by paragraph (APRA, AASB, AUASB): a term a standard does not define itself is looked up in Prudential Standard CPS 001 for APRA standards, and the answer says so. With provision_id and no term, the tool returns the defined terms that paragraph uses, each with its definition.
• A definition held in a title no longer in force is not followed: the term then reads as having no definition held.

Request (find_definition with {"legislation_id":"C2004A03712","term":"personal information"})

Python SDK

import asyncio, os
from mcp import ClientSession
from mcp.client.streamable_http import streamablehttp_client

async def main():
    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {os.environ['LAWATLAS_API_KEY']}"}
    async with streamablehttp_client("https://advisor.lawatlas.ai/api/mcp-http/mcp", headers=headers) as (read, write, _):
        async with ClientSession(read, write) as session:
            await session.initialize()
            result = await session.call_tool("find_definition", {
                "legislation_id": "C2004A03712",
                "term": "personal information"
            })
            print(result.content[0].text)

asyncio.run(main())

curl

curl -s https://advisor.lawatlas.ai/api/mcp-http/mcp \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LAWATLAS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Accept: application/json, text/event-stream" \
  -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"method":"tools/call","params":{"name":"find_definition","arguments":{"legislation_id":"C2004A03712","term":"personal information"}}}'

Response, as Advisor returned it on 10 October 2026. The tool's result is the JSON text of result.content[0].text; lists and long text are trimmed where marked "...".

{
  "schema_version": "3.5",
  "result": [
    {
      "term": "personal information",
      "provision_id": "28213126-adee-4698-8d8f-445ea7668819",
      "pinpoint": "s 6(1) (definition of personal information)",
      "heading": null,
      "definition_excerpt": "personal information means information or an opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable:\n(a)\twhether the information or opinion is true or not; and\n(b)\twhether the information or opinion is recorded in a material form or not.\nNote:\tSection 187LA of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 extends the meaning of personal information to cover information kept under Part 5-1A of that Act.",
      "source": "dictionary",
      "applies_to": "the whole Act, unless the contrary intention appears"
    }
  ],
  "page": {
    "returned": 1,
    "total": 1,
    "next_cursor": null,
    "truncated": false
  },
  "term": "personal information",
  "legislation_id": "eae28dff-3ff5-48eb-af3f-38686e6f650e",
  "title": "Privacy Act 1988",
  "status": {
    "in_force": true,
    "frl_status": "InForce",
    "since": null,
    "confirmed_with_frl_at": "2026-10-09T16:37:46.550767Z",
    "frl_link": "https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2026C00227",
    "notice": "In force according to the Federal Register of Legislation, as last confirmed on the date shown.",
    "compilation": {
      "register_id": "C2026C00227",
      "compilation_no": 104,
      "check_date": "2026-10-09T16:47:33.513124Z",
      "state": "current",
      "notice": "The Federal Register listed this compilation as the current one on the check date."
    }
  },
  "notes": [
    "Definitions are read from this Act's structure where it has been parsed that way, and from an older extraction elsewhere; absence here is not proof a term is undefined."
  ],
  "usage": "Excerpts only. Retrieve the defining provision in full with get_provision_text using its provision_id."
}

Data currency: Advisor serves the text of titles that the Federal Register of Legislation records as in force. It does not return the text of a repealed, ceased or sunset title, for any date.

• A title or a served provision carries a status block (status, or in_force in a list) with in_force, frl_status and confirmed_with_frl_at: when Advisor last confirmed the status with the Federal Register.
• Served text and search hits carry a compilation block with register_id, compilation_no, check_date and state. state is one of four values:
  • current: the Federal Register's latest list names the compilation the text comes from.
  • not_current: the Federal Register lists a newer compilation. Tell the user, and use the frl_link in the response.
  • pending_compilation: amendments have commenced that are not yet compiled, so the text does not include them.
  • not_confirmed: the Federal Register lists no current compilation, or Advisor holds no record of one. Treat it as unknown.
• TITLE_NOT_IN_FORCE and COMPILATION_NOT_CURRENT are answers, not failures. Show the user the Federal Register link in the response and do not fill the gap from another source.

Errors

Related tools

• search_provisions
• get_provision_text