Legalese is the professional jargon that’s utilized by legal professionals and it’s perfectly understandable between them.
However, the average person can’t make heads or tails of it, no matter how educated they are.
That’s why if you plan on maintaining positive and transparent relationships with your clients then you should make sure that all of the legal documents that you draft are easy to interpret and understand by the Average Joe.
Here are some tips on how to write legal documents that are legible and easy to understand:
- Highlight Important Paragraphs
Make sure that the reader won’t struggle to read and understand the document by defining all of the important sections in the document.
Use color-coded markers, reference points, and tags that make it easier to find relevant information in the document.
- Write in a Clear Language
Short sentences are easier to read and understand, specifically when it comes to legal writing.
Just make sure to include a glossary of technical terms at the beginning of your document so that the person reading it can understand what you’re saying when legalese terms are unavoidable within the document.
Avoid using long and complicated words if it’s possible to use simpler alternatives. Be efficient with your sentence structure and keep it simple.
- Make Sure You Don’t Make Grammar Mistakes
Grammar is important, especially in a professional setting with someone who’s entrusting their life to you.
Make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors so that there’s no confusion about what’s being communicated in the document.
Use punctuation wisely and avoid anything that would take away from the context of what the document is trying to communicate.
- Fact Check Everything
This one should go without saying but we felt the need to put it out there as well.
Make sure that every part of the document has been double-checked and fact-checked for accuracy by a relevant expert.
According to the professionals at Net Lawman, a single inaccuracy, no matter how small, can cast doubt on the entire document.
- Use Direct Language
Direct writing basically means using active voice to make your instructions clear.
Direct language use is a must when putting together a legal document because you’re dealing with regulations, lists of duties, instructions, and procedures. Avoid anything that would constitute fluffy language or redundancies.
- Be Consistent
Make sure your content descriptions are consistent within each section of the document and avoid the use of different variations to communicate a similar concept.
Keep it simple and use direct wording instead of ambiguous verbiage. For instance, instead of switching between automobile”, “vehicle” and “car, stick to one word, “motor vehicle”.
- Include Only Necessary Information
It’s equally important to avoid any and all redundancies in your legal document so that it’s easy to decipher what you’re trying to get across.
Avoid unnecessary anecdotes and footnotes as well as long-winded explanations. This way you’ll make sure you won’t have any misunderstandings with your clients.