Principles of Legal Writing

Understand the Objective of Writing

The writing should achieve something. That drive, along with your knowledge of the audience, should define the form, style and the language of the document. When you are writing a formal letter, response to a letter, business mail then your language could be common English. But when you know that writing a letter could hinder your legal rights then the wording should be carefully chosen to do effective legal writing.

Avoid Use of Exceptions

If possible, state a rule or group directly rather than describing that rule or group by stating its exceptions. DON'T: All persons except those 18 years or older must. DO: Each person under 18 years of age must.

Adapt to Your Audience

We believe that the best way to improve legal writing is to teach lawyers to focus more carefully on the audience. The reader of a legal document can be a client, opposing counsel, judge, clerk, or paralegal. The document should be tailored to the specific reader's needs and expectations.

Use Grammatically Correct Language

Like general English, a legal document should be grammatically correct. The legal document once was written shall ever remain as a piece of sign and shall be examined by several people. Especially by judges, lawyers, and well –knowledgeable client. There should not be any mistake in grammar.

Write Short, Simple Sentences

Readable sentences are simple, active, affirmative, and declarative. The more a sentence deviates from this structure, the harder it is to understand. Long, run-on sentences are a basic weakness in legal documents. Legal documents often contain conditions which result in complex sentences with many clauses. Aim to break up long sentences into shorter, punchier sentences whenever possible. [caption id="attachment_1523" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Improve Your Legal Writing | Tips[/caption] Credits:

• Legal Analysis and Writing for Paralegals
• Legal Writing in Plain English