Legal Writing - Christopher S Enright

Legal writing is notoriously not easy to read. This book seeks to rectify this problem. While the author acknowledges the good work done by the plain English advocates he believes they have missed the main problem and its solution. The biggest reason that any writing, including legal writing, is difficult to read for a person who is literate is that it lacks a proper structure. The core to the solution to this problem is to explain how good writing is structured. Part of this is a general structure that applies to all writing. This includes having an effective overall structure. Part of it is knowing the way to create a clear overall structure for particular disciplines such as law. To this end the book explains the major structure that legal writing should use. In addition to this huge emphasis on structure the book explains other matters. These include writing with style; identifying the likely or intended readers, assessing their likely level of knowledge and understanding and then addressing the text to the level that is best for them; and understanding how best to approach and organise writing in a way that enhances its effectiveness. In discussing these matters the book explains these techniques for writing in general because legal writing is a species of the genus called writing. The text brings in the legal aspects of writing by two things, depending on their situation. It incorporates them as 'add ons' or as a 'blend ins'.