Sorry, this page is no longer available
Sorry, this page is no longer available
Sorry, this page is no longer available
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Michael Davies LLB

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS COURSE IS DESIGNED FOR  IF YOU ARE NOT 

Read more

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS COURSE IS DESIGNED FOR  IF YOU ARE NOT 

  • A comprehensive new course for learning and engaging with legal English writing skills

  • Do you want to become more familiar with legal vocabulary and terminology?

  • Do you need to develop your understanding of legal jargon?

  • Do you want to learn how to write simple letters to your clients with confidence?

  • Do you need to improve your legal skills?

  • Do you want to work with an experienced Legal English teacher who has taught leading international lawyers from all over the world?

  • This course allows you to improve your legal English language skills by learning how to use articles, prepositions, punctuation.

  • Law firms are looking for candidates who have great communication skills. This course will give you the skills to have specialised communication skills.

  • This practical course is designed with the help of Legal English teachers and students to help you to improve your written English skills.

  • You will learn tips on enhancing your writing skills

  • You will gain a greater knowledge of key vocabulary used in the English legal system

  • You will learn how to use punctuation effectively in your writing

  • You will learn how to write letters in English

  • You will learn the basics of drafting clear commercial contracts

  • By the end of this course, you will have gained valuable knowledge and experience for writing fluently in Legal English and Business English

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Legal english skills
  • Improve your legal writing skills
  • Understand english law better
  • Improve your english grammar knowledge
  • Help with the toles test of legal english skills

Syllabus

Introduction
Conditions Precedent Clause
Sentence Construction
Keep it Simple
Read more

This lesson on Merger Clauses was originally posted on our YouTube channel.

Bonus lesson from our YouTube channel on boilerplate clauses.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on drafting commercial contracts, which is a core skill for transactional lawyers and those working in corporate law
Covers sentence construction and subject-verb agreement, which are essential for clear and precise legal writing
Explores the use of doublets and triplets, which are common stylistic devices in legal documents
Teaches about boilerplate clauses, which are standard provisions often found in contracts
Includes a legal glossary, which can be helpful for those new to legal terminology
Prepares learners for the TOLES Test of Legal English Skills, which is useful for demonstrating proficiency in legal English

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Practical legal english writing fundamentals

According to students, this course provides a solid foundation in practical legal English writing skills. Learners particularly appreciate the focus on improving grammar and punctuation in a legal context, which many found very helpful. The sections on writing letters to clients and an introduction to drafting commercial contracts were highlighted as particularly useful and applicable to their professional lives. The inclusion of a legal glossary is also seen as a valuable resource. However, some students felt certain topics could benefit from greater depth and more practice exercises.
Useful glossary for key vocabulary.
"The legal glossary is a great reference tool."
"It helped me become more familiar with legal jargon."
"Understanding key vocabulary improves my confidence in reading legal texts."
"The A to Z section is a handy quick reference."
Helps refine fundamental writing skills.
"The grammar explanations helped me understand common errors."
"I improved my use of commas and articles significantly."
"Learning about active vs passive voice was very practical."
"The detailed breakdown of punctuation marks was quite useful."
Focuses on real-world legal documents.
"The section on writing letters was very useful for client communication."
"I found the contract examples a helpful starting point."
"Learning about boilerplate clauses is directly applicable to my work."
"Guidance on structuring professional legal correspondence is valuable."
Could benefit from more in-depth topics.
"I wished there were more examples of contract clauses."
"The grammar felt a bit basic in parts for my needs."
"Could use more practice exercises after each section."
"Some topics seemed a bit rushed and could use more detail."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Legal Writing Master Class with these activities:
Review English Grammar Fundamentals
Strengthen your understanding of English grammar rules to improve sentence construction and overall clarity in legal writing.
Browse courses on English Grammar
Show steps
  • Review basic grammar concepts.
  • Practice sentence diagramming.
  • Complete grammar exercises.
Read 'Legal Writing in Plain English' by Bryan Garner
Learn techniques for clear and concise legal writing to improve communication with clients and other legal professionals.
Show steps
  • Read the book cover to cover.
  • Take notes on key concepts.
  • Apply the principles to your writing.
Punctuation Exercises
Reinforce your understanding of punctuation rules through targeted exercises to improve accuracy in legal writing.
Show steps
  • Find online punctuation exercises.
  • Complete the exercises.
  • Review your answers.
  • Repeat as needed.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Draft a Commercial Contract
Apply your knowledge of legal writing to draft a clear and concise commercial contract.
Show steps
  • Review sample commercial contracts.
  • Identify key clauses.
  • Draft the contract.
  • Revise and edit the contract.
Rewrite Sample Legal Documents
Practice rewriting complex legal documents in plain English to improve clarity and comprehension.
Show steps
  • Find sample legal documents.
  • Identify areas for improvement.
  • Rewrite the documents in plain English.
  • Compare the original and revised versions.
Review 'The Elements of Legal Style' by Bryan Garner
Study the principles of legal style to enhance the clarity, precision, and persuasiveness of your writing.
Show steps
  • Read the book carefully.
  • Take notes on key concepts.
  • Apply the principles to your writing.
Create a Legal Writing Style Guide
Develop a personal style guide for legal writing to ensure consistency and clarity in your work.
Show steps
  • Research legal writing style guides.
  • Identify key elements of legal style.
  • Create your own style guide.
  • Apply the style guide to your writing.

Career center

Learners who complete Legal Writing Master Class will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Legal Assistant
A legal assistant provides support to lawyers and paralegals, often including preparing legal documents and correspondence. This course is perfect if you are considering a role as a legal assistant. The course is specifically designed to help learners develop skills in legal English, including drafting letters and other communications. The course's focus on precise language and punctuation will help legal assistants create error-free documents. This course is a good fit.
Paralegal
A paralegal assists lawyers with legal tasks, including drafting documents, conducting legal research, and organizing case files. This course helps build a foundation for this career path. The course emphasizes enhancing writing skills, building familiarity with legal vocabulary and terminology, and drafting commercial contracts, all of which are daily tasks of a paralegal. Specifically, the course's focus on correct use of punctuation and grammar, as well as its lessons on drafting, will prepare paralegals for the kind of work they will be doing daily. This course is excellent if you want to become a paralegal.
Legal Researcher
A legal researcher conducts in-depth research on legal issues and precedents, often requiring a strong grasp of legal writing and terminology. This career path is well-suited to this course. The course’s emphasis on understanding legal vocabulary, terminology, and the English legal system will help legal researchers. The course offers specific training in drafting contracts and writing letters, both of which a legal researcher may use when communicating findings or creating reports. This course is a good fit.
Legislative Assistant
A legislative assistant supports legislators in their daily work, often involving researching and drafting legislation, which requires a strong grasp of legal writing and terminology. If you are considering a role as a legislative assistant, this course will be beneficial. The course's emphasis on legal English skills, including the use of correct grammar and punctuation, can help a legislative assistant. This course is a good fit.
Law Clerk
A law clerk generally assists judges or lawyers with legal research and writing tasks. This course may be helpful to a law clerk. The course's focus on improving legal writing skills, including the use of correct grammar and punctuation, can help a law clerk perform their duties. The course provides specific training in drafting contracts and letters, which are tasks a law clerk may encounter. This course may be useful.
Contract Administrator
A contract administrator is responsible for managing contracts, including drafting, reviewing, and ensuring adherence to contractual obligations. This course will help with the contract administrator role. The course teaches the basics of drafting clear commercial contracts, as well as the use of specific contract clauses, such as liquidated damages, recitals, and boilerplate. The course's lessons on legal vocabulary and correct punctuation can improve the clarity and accuracy of contract documents. Contract administrators who understand legal terminology and the proper way to draft contracts will be highly valued. This course may be useful.
Legal Secretary
A legal secretary provides administrative support in a law office, often including preparing legal documents and correspondence. This course is a good fit for those who want to become a legal secretary. The course’s specific training in legal English communication, including drafting letters to clients, can help prepare legal secretaries for essential tasks in this line of work. Further, the course's focus on clear and correct writing in the context of law firms can help one thrive in the role. A legal secretary who understands key legal concepts and terminology will be an asset to any office. This course may be useful.
Compliance Officer
A compliance officer ensures that a company follows laws and regulations, often requiring the ability to interpret and explain complex legal texts. This role requires a high degree of understanding of legal and business writing conventions. The course's focus on legal terminology, as well as its training in writing letters and drafting contracts can be helpful to a compliance officer. A compliance officer who understands the nuances of legal language can better perform duties. This course may be useful.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist
A regulatory affairs specialist is responsible for ensuring that a company complies with all applicable regulations and laws, often requiring a strong understanding of legal documents. This career path may be a good fit with this course. The course's emphasis on legal terminology, and the course's focus on drafting contracts, can help the regulatory affairs specialist. A regulatory affairs specialist who understands legal language and clear communication will do well. This course may be useful.
Document Review Specialist
A document review specialist examines legal documents for relevancy and privilege. This role is well-suited for those who have taken this course. The course's focus on improving legal writing, grammar, and use of punctuation will be useful to a document review specialist performing their daily tasks. The course will improve the accuracy and clear communication skills of a document review specialist. This course may be useful.
Policy Analyst
A policy analyst researches and analyzes information to develop policy recommendations. This role may be a good fit for someone seeking to apply the knowledge learned in this course. Understanding legal language, terminology, and contract law is often relevant to the work of a policy analyst. This course may help a policy analyst in the area of legal policy. The course may be useful.
Editor
An editor reviews text for accuracy, grammar, and clarity. This role aligns well with this course if the editor plans to focus on legal texts. The course emphasizes improving legal writing skills, enhancing knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and legal vocabulary. The focus of the course on precise writing and attention to detail will help editors review legal documents. This course may be useful.
Grant Writer
A grant writer prepares proposals for funding from government agencies or other organizations. This role can be a good fit for those who have taken this course. The course's focus on improving legal writing skills, knowledge of legal terms and clear communication, can be useful to a grant writer who may be addressing legal or complex issues. A grant writer with a good command of the English language and clear writing style will do well. This course may be helpful.
Technical Writer
Technical writers produce clear and concise documentation for complex information. This course is a potential fit for technical writers who may work in legal and compliance fields. The course emphasis on clear and correct writing skills, use of punctuation, and grammar may be helpful. Although the course focuses on legal writing, the skills you can gain here can help improve technical writing. This course may be useful.
Journalist
Journalists research and write reports on various news and current events. This role may benefit from the skills taught in this course. The course teaches precise and accurate written communication, which may help journalists who are writing about legal issues or legal cases. The course may help journalists who are writing about legislation or other legal issues. This course may be useful.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Legal Writing Master Class.
Comprehensive guide to clear and effective legal writing. It emphasizes the importance of using plain language to avoid ambiguity and improve readability. It valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their legal writing skills and is commonly used by legal professionals and students alike. This book adds depth to the course by providing practical advice and examples for writing clear and concise legal documents.
Provides a comprehensive guide to legal style, covering grammar, punctuation, word choice, and sentence structure. It offers practical advice and examples for improving clarity and precision in legal writing. This book valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their legal writing skills and is commonly used by legal professionals and students alike. This book adds depth to the course by providing practical advice and examples for writing clear and concise legal documents.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser