1. Practical Legal Writing_法律英语写作资料.doc

TSINGUA LAW SCHOOL 2008 Practical Legal Writing Class 1 Stephen Leonard sleonard18@ Introduction 1. In this class we will consider: (a) The proposed syllabus for this course. I welcome your comments as the aim is to make this as useful and informative for you all as possible. (b) Recommended resources. (c) The use of plain English and “15 Dos and Don’ts” for writing legal English. (d) I will also over the weeks give you examples of clear legal writing for you to read and study. We will start with a short judgment from a famous English Judge, Lord Denning. Professor Li Zhao Jie recently reminded me of how clear Lord Denning’s English was! I suggest that you read this when you have some time. Proposed Syllabus 2. I suggest the following: (a) Weeks 1 and 2 An introduction to the correct approach to legal writing. 15 Dos and Don’ts. Similarities and differences in the use of English by lawyers in England, Hong Kong and the United States. A plain English rewrite of the US Constitution and some translations of Chinese legislation and Some commonly used legal expressions and words. This will include a very brief introduction to the equity and trusts. (b) Weeks 3 and 4 A detailed review of a share purchase contract. We will consider not only the use of English (and whether it can be improved) but also the legal reasons for the main contractual provisions. I propose that the first contract will be a Hong Kong one (and different from the one I looked at briefly last term) as that will also be similar to an English one. (c) Weeks 5, 6 and 7 We will consider the approach to memo writing and also do some legal writing exercises. Subject to numbers in the class, my aim is that you send me what you write by email and I will return with comments and revisions. (d) Weeks 8 and 9 A detailed review of a second commercial contract. I will find an American one that is badly written (there is no shortage unfortunately) as you may come su