Drafting exercises

[Jaysen]

In answer to a question about legal drafting:

It’s important to think about the purpose of legal drafting to do well in this exercise. You're meant to be recording what the parties have agreed, or if it’s the first draft, your client’s instructions. There are consequences if a lawyer doesn't capture the points correctly.

Some of the most important points:

• Spend a lot of time planning: think about the type of agreement, what has been agreed and how best you can set this out on paper.
• Make sure the language is simple, relevant, clear and can’t be misconstrued.
• Omit unnecessary words.
• Have a clear layout, use headings and sub-headings if they help; it should be easy to read. Be consistent with your language and structure.

 

[Jaysen]

A vac schemer recently asked a question about the written exercise on their vacation scheme. Thought I'd share it with you guys here:

I'd recommend spending a good chunk of time planning; it can cut down the time you spend writing and help you prioritise the key information. Try to determine the most important things you need to cover and then have the confidence to discard anything that isn't relevant.

Often, you'll be writing to a client. You want to demonstrate that you can break down complex information clearly. Use simple language and short sentences where you can, and try to be direct in your answer. If it is to a client, ask yourself: What is the most important thing the client wants?

Structure is important. Consider the layout of your answer -- sometimes it's more appropriate to begin with the conclusions. Make use of bullet points and subheadings to make your answer clear.