Legal Writing
Overview:
You have 30 minutes to write a letter or email setting out your advice.
It will usually be addressed to a client but you may be writing to another solicitor.
Be sure to use the appropriate language based on to whom your letter in addressed.
You have no prep time so you need to write instantly but you will be able to word
process.
You may be given additional documents alongside the question. Use them.
Structure:
Address the person appropriately e.g. Dear ____
Write an initial summary statement to thank the client for their time and introduce what
you will do.
Summarize the facts at the start of the letter or use the facts you write.
Deal with your advice one issue at a time and order these issues appropriately.
Provide an advice summary.
Outline appropriate next steps.
Sign off using “a solicitor” or “an associate” unless told otherwise.
Marking Criteria:
1. Include relevant facts
2. Use a relevant Structure
3. Provide client focused advice
4. Use clear, concise and precise language
5. Apply the law correctly and comprehensively to the client’s situation
6. Identify any conduct issues and address them appropriately
Process:
1. Read through the instructions and pick out the relevant facts. Write out paragraph
headings as you go. Aim for 4/5 questions.
2. Write if there are any procedural, ethical or professional conduct issues.
3. Write out your advice in a style that is appropriate for your intended audience e.g. plain
English for clients.
4. Check over your work to make sure it is free from typos. Make sure you have spelt the
client’s name correctly and any figures are input accurately.
Tips:
The instructions usually state at the very end what you don’t need to include i.e. money
laundering etc.
Aim to write 1-2 A4 pages.
If you haven’t been given a piece of information you think you need, you may not need to
address this.
You will lose points for asking the client to provide documentation you already have.
If the question gives you advice the client wants answered, its best to copy paste it and
work from there.
, Think about why you are writing this particular document and tailor the content to this
needs.
Remember to check for any professional conduct issues such as advising partners in
competing businesses or writing to the over side in litigation and trying to avoid
disclosing privileged information.
You template will already have your client’s information on it.
Repeat clients can be addressed by their first name, first time clients should be
addressed as mr/ms___.
Overview:
You have 30 minutes to write a letter or email setting out your advice.
It will usually be addressed to a client but you may be writing to another solicitor.
Be sure to use the appropriate language based on to whom your letter in addressed.
You have no prep time so you need to write instantly but you will be able to word
process.
You may be given additional documents alongside the question. Use them.
Structure:
Address the person appropriately e.g. Dear ____
Write an initial summary statement to thank the client for their time and introduce what
you will do.
Summarize the facts at the start of the letter or use the facts you write.
Deal with your advice one issue at a time and order these issues appropriately.
Provide an advice summary.
Outline appropriate next steps.
Sign off using “a solicitor” or “an associate” unless told otherwise.
Marking Criteria:
1. Include relevant facts
2. Use a relevant Structure
3. Provide client focused advice
4. Use clear, concise and precise language
5. Apply the law correctly and comprehensively to the client’s situation
6. Identify any conduct issues and address them appropriately
Process:
1. Read through the instructions and pick out the relevant facts. Write out paragraph
headings as you go. Aim for 4/5 questions.
2. Write if there are any procedural, ethical or professional conduct issues.
3. Write out your advice in a style that is appropriate for your intended audience e.g. plain
English for clients.
4. Check over your work to make sure it is free from typos. Make sure you have spelt the
client’s name correctly and any figures are input accurately.
Tips:
The instructions usually state at the very end what you don’t need to include i.e. money
laundering etc.
Aim to write 1-2 A4 pages.
If you haven’t been given a piece of information you think you need, you may not need to
address this.
You will lose points for asking the client to provide documentation you already have.
If the question gives you advice the client wants answered, its best to copy paste it and
work from there.
, Think about why you are writing this particular document and tailor the content to this
needs.
Remember to check for any professional conduct issues such as advising partners in
competing businesses or writing to the over side in litigation and trying to avoid
disclosing privileged information.
You template will already have your client’s information on it.
Repeat clients can be addressed by their first name, first time clients should be
addressed as mr/ms___.
