
Modern Legal Drafting
A Guide to Using Clearer Language
Cambridge University Press
2nd Edition
Published on 23. October 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-0-521-67452-2 (ISBN)
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Description
In the second edition of this highly regarded text, the authors show how and why traditional legal language has developed the peculiar characteristics that make legal documents inaccessible to the end users. Incorporating recent research and case law, the book provides a critical examination of case law and the rules of interpretation. Detailed case studies illustrate how obtuse or outdated words, phrases and concepts can be rewritten, reworked or removed altogether. Particularly useful is the step-by-step guide to drafting in the modern style, using examples from four types of common legal documents: leases, company constitutions, wills and conveyances. Readers will gain an appreciation of the historical influences on drafting practice and the use of legal terminology. They will learn about the current moves to reform legal language, and receive clear instruction on how to make their writing clearer and their legal documents more useful.
More details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
Revised edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
401 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-67452-2 (9780521674522)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions

Book
03/2013
3rd Edition
Cambridge University Press
€70.40
Shipment within 15-20 days
Additional editions

E-Book
12/2007
2nd Edition
Cambridge University Press
€35.49
Available for download
Previous edition

Book
06/2001
Cambridge University Press
€49.52
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Peter Butt is a Professor of Law and founding director of the Centre for Plain Legal Language at the University of Sydney. Richard Castle is a solicitor currently working in New Zealand.
Content
Introduction; 1. What influences the legal drafter; 2. How legal documents are interpreted; 3. The move towards Modern English in legal drafting; 4. Some benefits of drafting in plain English; 5. What to avoid when drafting modern documents; 6. How to draft modern documents; 7. Using the modern style; Further reading.