Professional Documents
Culture Documents
COLLEGE OF LAW
Legal English I
SIMPLICITY
Plain language is, or should be, every bit as accurate and precise as traditional
legal writing. It is clearer considerably clearer. It is usually shorter and faster. It is
strongly preferred by readers. It would greatly improve the image of lawyers. (Professor
Joseph Kimble, Answering the Critics mof Plain Language)
You are no less a lawyer for being understandable. (Christopher Lutz)
A. SIMPLICITY
Simplicity in writing means to write plainly and simply. To observe the rules on economy
of expression, each sentence must say what the writer means and means what the writer
wants to say. Convoluted words and word-constructions must be avoided. This is best
done by preferring shorter sentences, and choosing shorter words. Repetition must also
be avoided as much as possible.
Clutter is a disease in writing. The secret of good writing is to strip every sentence to its
cleanest component. Every word that serves no function, every long word that could be a
short word, or every adverb which carries the same meaning that is already in the verb
weakens the sentence.
B. USE SHORT SENTENCES
The herein plaintiff is willing and ready to give a bond
pursuant to the Rules of Court executed in favor of the
defendant in the instant case in an amount double the
valuation of the subject personal property above described,
and for the return of the same property if the return thereof be
adjudged, and for the payment to the same defendant of such
amount as he may recover from the plaintiff in the herein
action.
A good sentence typically contains only one main thought in less than 25 words. By
typically means that a sentence may have more than one thought. It is however
preferable to express only one or at most two thoughts in a statement.
Long sentences make ones writing unwieldy and difficult to understand. They tax the
readers concentration and memory. He will have a hard time figuring out what the writer
wants to say as he wades through thickets of main and subordinate clauses.
The plaintiff is willing to give a bond double the value
of the property. He likewise undertakes to return the property
to the defendant or pay him such amount if adjudged to do
so.
While short sentences are recommended, one may occasionally use longer ones for
variety. However, it is advised that writers stick to short sentences. At times, the writer
may indulge himself with a long one, but he will make sure there are no folds in it, no
vagueness, and no parenthetical interruptions of its view as a whole.
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Avoid wordy expressions. Simpler construction is preferred than using too many
words to express an idea.
WORDY
Answered in the affirmative
At all times
In a manner similar to
Inasmuch as
In the absence of
In the amount of
In case of/ in the event of/ in the event that
In the meantime
In the near future
In view of the fact that
Large number of
Major portion of
Taking into consideration the fact that
There can be no doubt that
With the exception of
With reference to/ with regard to
2.
Avoid elaborating on the obvious. Do not expand or restate the obvious. It bores
the reader with information he already has.
Wordy:
Concise:
Wordy:
Concise:
3.
CONCISE
Said yes
Always
Like
Since
Without
For
If
Meanwhile
Soon
Since, because
Many
Most
Since
Doubtless
Except
About
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We are very proud and happy to announce that our client was
absolved from all the charges against him.
Our client was absolved from all the charges against him.
There is no doubt that some people will disagree with me, but in
my opinion, I firmly believe that the company committed an unfair
labor practice.
I believe the company committed an unfair labor practice.
4.
5.
CONCISE
Happened
Planning
All
Before
Cheap
Combined
Connect, end, finish, join
Discussed
During
Each
Equally
Once in a while
Death
Destination
First
For
Gray
If
I think
Inside
Long time
Numerous
One (or only)
One (or the same)
History
Rarely
Requirements for
Round
Small
Wordy:
Concise:
Wordy:
Concise:
Wordy:
lawyer.
Concise:
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Wordy:
Concise:
Wordy:
Concise:
CONCISE
Since/because
Reminding you
Although/though
I was not aware that
Your failure
Your enrolment
Wordy:
Concise:
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CONCISE
As we said/discussed
By (a specific date)
Can
Consider
I recommend
Instead of
Ive noticed (or omit)
(omit)
(omit)
Please
Revise
Separately
So
No doubt, doubtless
To
We, us
About, on