1 Professional Skills

Plain English for Lawyers

LawCPD author: Grace Lawson
Grace Lawson
Barrister & Author Queensland Bar
Rating:
4.3/5
$129
1 CPD Point

Features

Interactive Content
Self-Paced Completion
On-demand and on Any Device
Receive Certificate of Completion

Overview

This course explores how lawyers can improve the effectiveness of their communications with clients, the court and opponents by using plain English.

Modern language is constantly evolving through daily use and technological advances. However, legal language has not kept pace with these changes. The language lawyers’ use is often overly formal or even archaic, reducing the effectiveness of communications with clients, opponents and courts.

This course discusses the benefits for lawyers in using plain English, and the key principles of plain English. Practical examples are provided of how plain English can improve the effectiveness of communications with clients, with other lawyers, and in drafting legal documents. The course also explores some of the limitations of using plain English in legal practice.

 

Last Updated: March 2024

Meet the expert

LawCPD author: Grace Lawson
Grace Lawson
Barrister & Author Queensland Bar

Grace Lawson practices as a Barrister in Queensland. Her practice includes family law, personal injury law, and employment law.

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Reviews

  1. 4.0/5
    Great course to get you thinking from another perspective. Us lawyers can be blinkered and fail to appreciate that the same words can have different meanings.
    The content was very good with a well-directed easy flow that got you thinking as it proceeded to its ultimate conclusion - we all need to do better!
  2. 4.0/5
    Practical and useful
    A helpful introduction to the principles of plain English writing.
  3. 5.0/5
    Well Structured and Easy to Follow
    This course makes us all rethink the way we have been traditionally trained to write as lawyers. Well structured, easy to follow and I retained the points being made - I particularly liked the quote from Justice Michael Kirby - how true!