Seven years have passed since the publication of the 2nd edition of Plain Language for Lawyers. In that time, plain language has really taken off:

• There have been major developments in plain language around the world.
• Plain language is now part of the range of services lawyers routinely offer their clients.
• The internet and email have revolutionised the way that lawyers communicate.
• New laws continue to be passed requiring documents to be written in language that is "easy to understand," "intelligible," "comprehensible" or "expressed plainly," or requiring "plain language" or "plain English."
• Case law is highlighting the risks for banks and others who continue to use documents that cannot easily be understood.
• The courts have more experience in considering and interpreting documents written in plain language.

Michèle M. Asprey has comprehensively revised and updated Plain Language for Lawyers for this 3rd edition:

• The book now covers the significant developments in plain language and the law since 1996.
• There are 2 new chapters, one on writing email and writing for the internet and the other on designing documents intended to be read on the computer screen.
• Chapter 3 (Why plain language?) has been expanded and divided into 2 chapters: Chapter 3 - Why plain language? and Chapter 4 - Plain language around the world, reflecting the many developments in plain language on the international scene.

While Australia is still an influential leader, the plain language movement is truly an international one. Developments in one jurisdiction influence others. For that reason, the new edition includes more information--plain language projects, case law, and legislation--from jurisdictions outside Australia.

Table of Contents

What is this book about?
What is plain language?
Why plain language?
Plain language around the world
Fundamentals
Structure
Words
Grammatical structures to avoid
Legal affectations and other nasty habits
Overused words and formulas
Little words: big problems
What about the rules of legal interpretation?
A plain language vocabulary
Email and the internet
Document design basics
Designing documents for the computer screen
Testing your writing
Any questions?

Thank you
Index

"Asprey outlines the considerable cost savings experienced by companies and governments when they have designed contracts and forms that can be easily and widely understood.... Asprey presents a convincing case for simplicity. She argues that it is not only economically sensible but legally responsible to abandon archaic drafting habits and embrace plain language in drafting.

Having convinced the reader that plain language is not only an option in drafting, but the only responsible option, Asprey then proceeds to dissect bad drafting habits and propose solutions. She demonstrates good drafting practices, details successful implementations...

The first part of the book makes a case for the use of plain language in a convincing and easy to read manner. The writer then deals with the fundamentals and structure of drafting. She underlines the importance of knowing your audience when you are writing any document, and writing for the ability, understanding and interest of the reader or audience when preparing a document...

The book contains chapters which deal with the technicalities of the written word including the structure of drafting, words generally, grammatical structures to avoid, legal affectations and clarity of word use. It also explains how to set out a document so that its very design assists the reader in understanding its content.... This book is very easy to read. The author has interspersed her technical knowledge with humour, common sense and wide and relevant research. Asprey has provided the reader with a wonderful example of plain language at its best. In my view the book should be compulsory reading for anyone involved in the law."

-- Judge Richards, (2005) 26 Qld Lawyer