Description
Clarity and precision in legal writing are essential skills in the practice and study of law. This book offers a straightforward, practical guide to effective legal style from a world-leading expert. The book is thoughtfully structured to explain the elements of good legal writing and its most effective use. It catalogues all aspects of legal style, topic by topic, phrase by phrase, usage by usage. It scrutinises them all, suggesting improvements. Its 'dictionary' arrangement makes it easy to navigate. Entries cover matters such as abbreviations, acronyms, active and passive voice, brackets, bullet points, citation methods, cross-referencing, fonts, document design, footnotes, gender-neutral language, numbering systems, plain legal language, punctuation, the use of Latin in law, structures for legal advices and documents, and techniques for editing and proofreading. Also covered are many words and phrases that non-lawyers find opaque and obscure-the aim being to show that lawyers can usually substitute a plain-English equivalent that captures the legal nuances of the 'legalese'. Other topics include ambiguity, deeds, definitions, provisos, recitals, simplified outlines, terms of art, tone, and the various principles of legal interpretation. With an emphasis on technical effectiveness and understanding, the book is required reading for all those engaged in the practice and study of law.
This book offers a straightforward, practical guide to effective legal usage from a world-leading expert.
About the Author
Peter Butt is Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Sydney. He was the founding director of the Centre for Plain Legal Language at the University of Sydney, and has lectured extensively on legal writing in the UK and many other countries.
Reviews
Have you ever wondered: What does inchoate mean? Who are my assigns? Are they my assignees? What is wilful default/neglect/misconduct/wrongdoing? ... In A-Z format, this 900-page book offers answers to these questions and hundreds more. -- Daphne Perry * Law Society Gazette *
This is a volume which definitely deserves a place on every lawyer's bookshelves, especially those starting out on their careers. * The Commonwealth Lawyer *
Relevant to any lawyer who wishes to write well ... Peter Butt has produced a really valuable reference book from which any writer of legal texts could derive benefit. It would be a valuable addition to any law drafter's library. As a sometime writer of legislation, I recommend it unreservedly. -- Eamonn Moran PSM QC * The Loophole *
This is an excellent book, a valuable resource and one that will be helpful to students in grasping how to write clearly, precisely yet effectively in the legal context. -- Chris Bevan * Durham University *
This is a comprehensive and thoughtful text that provides far more than a mere dictionary would do. It covers not just terminology, but concepts, ideas and institutions, providing a one-stop shop for students. -- Pamela Henderson * Nottingham Trent University *
This is an excellent book with so much for the young and experienced lawyer alike. It will be strongly recommended to all our students at the start of their course. -- Stephen Dnes * New College Of The Humanities *
This is a very comprehensive writing guide, which I plan to recommend as a reference point to all my students. -- Ewa Zelazna * University of Leicester *
I very much enjoyed browsing this book- it has a dry sense of humour and I have found myself dipping into it regularly. -- Helen Rutherford * Northumbria University *
I really enjoyed the book. It's unlike anything else available, is truly comprehensive and has become essential ... I am recommending it to students. -- Michael Davies * The Legal English School *
Very useful text for Year 1 LLB students -- Carole Lyons * Robert Gordon University *
A good read and a marvellous resource for anyone who needs to justify their choices when clarifying legal documents -- Martin Cutts, director of Plain Language Commission and author of The Oxford Guide to Plain English
This is an excellent guide to legal writing and I have now added this to my reading list for law doctoral students at UCY -- Emeritus Professor Kim Economides * University of Cyprus *
A helpful book for written advocacy giving very clear guidance. Well written and presented. -- Dr Samuel White * University of the West of Scotland *
Book Information
ISBN 9781509936243
Author Peter Butt
Format Paperback
Page Count 968
Imprint Hart Publishing
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 1406g
This book offers a straightforward, practical guide to effective legal usage from a world-leading expert.
About the Author
Peter Butt is Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Sydney. He was the founding director of the Centre for Plain Legal Language at the University of Sydney, and has lectured extensively on legal writing in the UK and many other countries.
Reviews
Have you ever wondered: What does inchoate mean? Who are my assigns? Are they my assignees? What is wilful default/neglect/misconduct/wrongdoing? ... In A-Z format, this 900-page book offers answers to these questions and hundreds more. -- Daphne Perry * Law Society Gazette *
This is a volume which definitely deserves a place on every lawyer's bookshelves, especially those starting out on their careers. * The Commonwealth Lawyer *
Relevant to any lawyer who wishes to write well ... Peter Butt has produced a really valuable reference book from which any writer of legal texts could derive benefit. It would be a valuable addition to any law drafter's library. As a sometime writer of legislation, I recommend it unreservedly. -- Eamonn Moran PSM QC * The Loophole *
This is an excellent book, a valuable resource and one that will be helpful to students in grasping how to write clearly, precisely yet effectively in the legal context. -- Chris Bevan * Durham University *
This is a comprehensive and thoughtful text that provides far more than a mere dictionary would do. It covers not just terminology, but concepts, ideas and institutions, providing a one-stop shop for students. -- Pamela Henderson * Nottingham Trent University *
This is an excellent book with so much for the young and experienced lawyer alike. It will be strongly recommended to all our students at the start of their course. -- Stephen Dnes * New College Of The Humanities *
This is a very comprehensive writing guide, which I plan to recommend as a reference point to all my students. -- Ewa Zelazna * University of Leicester *
I very much enjoyed browsing this book- it has a dry sense of humour and I have found myself dipping into it regularly. -- Helen Rutherford * Northumbria University *
I really enjoyed the book. It's unlike anything else available, is truly comprehensive and has become essential ... I am recommending it to students. -- Michael Davies * The Legal English School *
Very useful text for Year 1 LLB students -- Carole Lyons * Robert Gordon University *
A good read and a marvellous resource for anyone who needs to justify their choices when clarifying legal documents -- Martin Cutts, director of Plain Language Commission and author of The Oxford Guide to Plain English
This is an excellent guide to legal writing and I have now added this to my reading list for law doctoral students at UCY -- Emeritus Professor Kim Economides * University of Cyprus *
A helpful book for written advocacy giving very clear guidance. Well written and presented. -- Dr Samuel White * University of the West of Scotland *
Book Information
ISBN 9781509936243
Author Peter Butt
Format Paperback
Page Count 968
Imprint Hart Publishing
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 1406g
