Plain English FAQ
What is Plain English?
Plain English is the simplest, most-direct way of expressing your ideas in writing. It uses only as many words as necessary. It avoids stuffy or arcane vocabulary. And it says what it means without hiding behind lawyerisms.
Don’t judges expect briefs to sound like a lawyer wrote them?
Judges read hundreds of pleadings each week. A document that is filled with heretofores, overlong sentences, and Latin phrases just adds to the judge’s workload. A clear, concise, Plain English brief makes the judge’s job easier, and has a better chance of persuading the judge to rule for our client.
Are Plain English contracts less likely to be enforceable?
Not at all. A contract doesn’t have to be in legalese to be enforceable. Plain English avoids the ambiguities found in most legal documents. Fewer ambiguities means fewer misunderstandings and lawsuits. And the clearer a document is, the more likely a judge will enforce it the way it is written.
Can you give me an example of how Plain English works?
Sure. Here are sentences from two actual noncompete agreements that make the same point.
Another law firm wrote this:
"WHEREAS, the Company is willing to employ Employee, and Employee is willing to accept employment with the Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth herein."
We wrote this:
"Your continued employment with us depends on your making the promises set out in this Agreement."
Which example gets the point across better? Which is easier to read?
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