Plain Legal Editing Checklist
Recall plain legal editing moves that improve clarity without changing legal effect.
comparison battlecard What five legal functions should survive a plain-language rewrite? Actor, trigger, duty, deadline, exception. Add consequence when the clause allocates remedy or risk. Clarity gain versus precision loss Shorter is not always safer. The test is preserved legal function, not word count. This sounds less legal, so it may be less enforceable. Your response Enforceability comes from clear obligations, preserved defined terms, and unambiguous conditions, not from legalese. Keeping archaic phrasing can make compliance harder and disputes easier. Plain wording can be more precise when it makes each duty visible. Which words deserve special care? Must, may, will,…
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