Are you tired of legalese? Of copy and paste? Do you want to learn how to write legal texts clearly and effectively? This course will equip you with the tools you need to refine your writing.

Think of it as your first day at the (writing) gym. If you consistently use the tools and hacks that we equip you with in this short course, before you know it your writing will be in great shape! This course will help you understand the requirements for clear legal writing and analyse your own writing. You’ll be equipped with tools (and hacks) to help you improve your writing.

When and where?

This course is not currently scheduled.

Check out our Course Overview page to see all our current courses. Or join our mailing list to stay up to date with newly-scheduled courses.

Course outline

By the end of this course you should:

  • Challenge the way that legal documents have always been written.
  • Recognise your own writing mistakes.
  • Understand what clear, impactful writing means.
  • Have the tools to help you communicate clearly through your writing.

The course will consist of an e-learning module that covers:

  • The principles of effective legal writing
  • A refresher on essential grammar principles
  • Learning how to use an editing checklist developed specifically for legal writing

The second part of the course is a six-hour webinar over two days where you will acquire the tools that will help you make your writing clearer and more effective.

Who will benefit from this course?

Whether you write consumer-facing communication, business-to-business contracts, policies, or opinions, this course will give you the tools to communicate clearly and with impact. A legal background is not essential, but our focus will be on legal documents like contracts and terms and conditions.

Presenter

Elizabeth de Stadler and Liezl van Zyl have been working as plain language practitioners for nearly a decade. Elizabeth is a rehabilitated lawyer who uses her linguistic powers for good and inspires lawyers around the world to become the best version of themselves through humour and common sense. Liezl is an information designer who uses information- and UX design principles to bring clarity to complex communication. Together, they have helped many organisations create clear, user-friendly contracts, policies, and terms and conditions.

Annie Burger has been part of the team for three years now and is just completing her PhD in plain language. Who better to share the theory of plain language!

All three facilitators have extensive experience in teaching what they learn – having lectured at tertiary level.

How much?

R2,500 per person

Certificate

A certificate of attendance from UCT will be issued to those who attend the entire course.

How to sign up

Complete and submit the registration form. You will then be given the payment information. Please note that registrations will not be accepted until payment has been made.

One or two days before the course, we will send you the Zoom link. You will need to register and use a password to enter the virtual classroom.

Registrations close three days before the course starts.

Download the brochure for 2022 and 2023.

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