Plain Language for Lawyers – An Interview

SAFM (Word of Mouth show) recently interviewed Andrew Weeks on plain language and the law.  Lawyers are said to be one of the worst culprits when it comes to using language that is verbose, but is there a reason for this?

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Part 1: 00:00 – 08:45

SAFM introduces Andrew Weeks, who begins tackling the topic by giving his opinion on these questions and others:

• Are lawyers suppose to draft contracts with their clients interests in mind or draft them in such a way that both parties are satisfied?
• Why do people, lawyers in particular, use language that is not plain?
• Should legal documents follow a format, or be re-drafted per client?
• Why do we find phrases that are redundant and misleading in a lawyers vocabulary?

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Part 2: 08:45 – 22:00

Andrew Weeks talks about methods you can use to avoid speaking verbosely, i.e. using shorter sentences, and using one idea per sentence.  New questions are brought up and discussed on the topic of plain language:

• The reason contracts are usually drawn up using the passive voice?
• Why are contracts often drafted in a negative light?
• What are ‘pleadings’?
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  Tags: Plain Language