Plain Language services

We offer the following plain language services in line with our view that compliance is a process.

Be aware, develop policies and guides, and plan

We can help you to be aware of and learn about plain language and the law that requires it. We do this by:

1. conducting a plain language seminar, workshop, webinar (online seminar) or executive briefing
2. providing online legal advice on plain language on Michalsons
3. Offering a guide on Practicing Plain Language.

We advise you by applying our experience and knowledge to your specific circumstances. Things like the plain language policy of your organisation. This includes drafting, reviewing, commenting on and amending your:

1. Plain Language Policy
2. Plain Language Plan
3. Style Guide or Plain Language Guideline

Assess, determine the gap, and find solutions

We can hep you to:

1. Assess where your documents are (by doing assessments)
2. Review documents for CPA compliance
3. Determine a legal position by giving you opinions
4. Determine the gap between your reality and compliance (usually a gap analysis)
5. Find solutions to fill the gap

We do this by conducting a plain language document audit. We use various tools, like a plain language audit tool, to conduct the audit. Through the audit you either get assurance that you comply or we help you to find solutions to ensure that you comply.

Implement solutions

We can help you implement solutions to ensure compliance. Implementing the solutions can involve the following:

1. Converting a document into plain language by editing it
2. Providing you with a Glossary of Legal Terms for Consumers
3. Providing you with a new template document through Online Legal… For example, a template for Competition Rules.
4. Drafting a document for you. Where possible we will cross reference the old clauses to the new clauses.

Ongoing review

We support you to review your situation on an ongoing basis and ensure that you continue to comply. We can review new documents drafted by your staff to ensure that they are plain language. We can help your staff to learn more about plain language and drafting in plain language.

Get a proposal from us

We offer services not only as experts on writing in plain language, but with the benefit of being lawyers as well. For more information or a proposal, please contact justplain@michalsons.co.za.

Tags: legal documents in simple english, plain language services