Why should consumer contracts be written in plain English? Because most people have to deal with them on their own, without the luxury of a lawyer being able to advise them on what it means. Think about how many contracts you’re bound by right now. Here’s just some of the normal everyday contracts people are …
Tag Archive: readability
Permanent link to this article: http://wordsmadeclear.com/2012/03/03/consumer-contracts-plain-english-please/
Feb 29
If your client doesn’t understand your advice, can you say you’ve given it to them?
The classic advice-giving conundrum: you’re giving advice to a client/patient/customer who just wants the headlines and isn’t interested in the detail. But you have an obligation to give them full advice – perhaps a legal requirement or a professional obligation means that you have to be able to prove that you gave full advice. This …
Permanent link to this article: http://wordsmadeclear.com/2012/02/29/if-your-client-doesnt-understand-your-advice/
Jan 13
Structuring a contract
I’ve been a lawyer for more than ten years, and contracts have been the bread and butter of much of my working life. I’ve written many, but as a specialist litigator I’ve argued and fought over even more. Seeing contracts fall apart because the parties can’t understand them or use them effectively is one of …
Permanent link to this article: http://wordsmadeclear.com/2012/01/13/structuring-a-contract/
Dec 01
Designing forms – whetting your appetite
Forms, questionnaires, surveys – almost every organisation produces these at one time or another, from the tax office to the PTA at your local school. Most of us groan at the thought of filling them out, so how do you design a form that: is easy for the user to fill out; and gets you …
Permanent link to this article: http://wordsmadeclear.com/2011/12/01/designing-forms-whetting-your-appetite/
Nov 14
Welcome
Welcome to the blog at Words Made Clear. This is our ideas space where we introduce you to new ways of thinking about readability. Our aim is to have a mixture of information and interaction. Your thoughts and ideas are always welcome, and we hope that you find plenty to stimulate your thinking.
Permanent link to this article: http://wordsmadeclear.com/2011/11/14/welcome/