Legal Communication in Plain English Audiobook | Legal English
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Legal English has a reputation for being complicated. Long sentences, formal expressions, Latin phrases, and technical vocabulary can make even a straightforward legal point difficult to understand.
But good legal communication is not about sounding complicated. It is about communicating a legal idea accurately, efficiently, and in a way your reader or listener can actually follow.
That applies whether you are drafting a contract, explaining a legal issue to a client, arguing a position, negotiating with opposing counsel, or discussing a case with colleagues.
Here are some practical ways to improve your legal communication.
Table of Contents
1. Legal Communication in Plain English: Replace legalese when it adds nothing
Legal writing has accumulated a large collection of traditional expressions: hereinafter, notwithstanding, pursuant to, aforementioned, notwithstanding the foregoing, and so on.
The problem is not that these words are always wrong. The problem is using them simply because they sound "legal."
For example:
"Pursuant to the provisions of the agreement, the parties shall..."
can often become:
"Under the agreement, the parties shall..."
The second version is shorter without changing the legal meaning.
The principle is simple: do not remove technical language when it is necessary; remove unnecessary complexity when it is not.
The audiobook Legal Communication in Plain English explores this distinction in detail, including how modern legal professionals can replace legalese with clearer alternatives without making their language less precise.
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2. Choose words for their function, not their appearance
A strong legal vocabulary is not about knowing the longest possible word. It is about knowing exactly what a word does in a particular context.
Compare:
terminate
end
cancel
withdraw
revoke
These words may appear similar in ordinary conversation, but they can have very different legal implications.
The same applies to words such as may, must, should, will, and could. A small change can alter the degree of obligation, discretion, certainty, or risk in a legal statement.
Great legal English therefore involves asking:
What exactly am I trying to communicate, and which word communicates it most accurately?
3. Pay attention to nuance
One of the most important skills in legal communication is recognizing that apparently minor differences in wording can produce significant consequences.
Consider the difference between:
"The company may terminate the agreement."
and:
"The company shall terminate the agreement."
The first generally indicates a possibility or discretion. The second creates a much stronger obligation.
Likewise, there can be important differences between material, reasonable, substantial, appropriate, and necessary.
Developing sensitivity to these distinctions helps lawyers avoid accidental ambiguity and communicate legal positions more precisely.
In Legal Communication in Plain English, this is taken a step further by looking at word nuance and the potential legal consequences of seemingly small language choices.
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4. Watch out for risky wording
Legal drafting involves managing risk, and language itself can create risk.
A sentence might appear perfectly clear while leaving room for different interpretations.
Problems can arise from vague modifiers, unclear pronouns, unnecessary repetition, overly broad statements, or poorly structured sentences.
For example:
"The supplier will deliver the documents promptly."
What does promptly mean?
Within one hour? One business day? A reasonable period?
Where timing matters, precision is usually better than vague language.
Before finalizing a document, look for words that leave important questions unanswered. Ask whether the reader could reasonably interpret the sentence in more than one way.
5. Legal communication is not just legal drafting
Lawyers do much more than write.
They explain legal issues to clients, discuss strategy with colleagues, present arguments, participate in negotiations, and contribute to meetings.
That means good legal English must work when spoken as well as written.
A beautifully drafted legal argument can lose its impact if it is impossible to explain clearly in a conversation.
A useful structure for oral communication is:
Point → Reason → Evidence → Conclusion
For example:
"Our position is that the termination was valid. The contract permits termination on 30 days' notice, and that notice was given on May 3. The relevant clause does not require the additional approval suggested by the other side. Therefore, we consider the termination effective from June 2."
The structure makes the reasoning easy to follow.
The audiobook includes dedicated guidance on structuring a legal position for oral delivery, helping bridge the gap between legal drafting and legal discussion.
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6. Explain legal issues so clients can understand them
Clients rarely need a lecture in legal terminology. They need to understand what a legal issue means for them.
Instead of saying:
"You may have recourse under the applicable statutory provisions."
you might say:
"You may be able to take legal action under the relevant law."
And then explain what that could mean in practical terms.
A useful client explanation normally answers three questions:
What is the issue?
What does the law say?
What does this mean for the client?
As we constantly say here at Macson Bell, clarity is not about "dumbing down" legal information. It is about making information usable.
7. Use language strategically in negotiations
Negotiation requires a different kind of legal communication.
You need to be clear about your position without unnecessarily escalating the conversation.
Compare:
"Your client is clearly in breach of the agreement."
with:
"Our view is that the current position is inconsistent with the agreement."
The second formulation may leave more room for discussion while still communicating a strong legal position.
Good negotiation language gives you options. It can help you disagree firmly without making agreement more difficult.
8. Improve the way you communicate with colleagues
Internal legal discussions often happen quickly. You may have only a few minutes to explain an issue to a partner, colleague, or supervisor.
In these situations, avoid burying the conclusion.
Try:
"The main issue is X. Our strongest argument is Y. The main risk is Z."
Then provide the supporting detail.
This approach makes your communication easier to process and helps other lawyers understand your analysis quickly.
