Legal Drafting Fundamentals: Time Expressions and Techniques

Study Notes

Expressions and Words Relating to Time

In computation of time, there is a problem of whether to reckon exclusively or inclusively the stated date or dates in a legal document.
"ON" is interpreted as inclusive of the stated date, e.g. "on 10th November 2011" includes the stated date, meaning the whole day.

Rules and Techniques of Drafting

A draftsman must know when a stated period begins and expires.
Expressions and words relating to time must be used carefully to convey the appropriate intention.
Rules and techniques of drafting are essential for a draftsman to learn and have at heart when drafting a legal document.

Study Unit Objectives

The aim of this unit is to equip students with the rules and technicalities of drafting legal documents.
The question of time is no longer a question of fact but of law.

Study Unit Structure

Each study unit includes specific objectives, directions for study, reading materials, and Self-Assessment Exercises (SAE).
Tutor Marked Assignments will assist in achieving the stated learning objectives of the individual units and of the course.

Assessment

There are two aspects of the assessment of this course: Tutor Marked Assignments and a written examination.
The Tutor Marked Assignments carry 30% of the total score, and the assignments must be submitted to the tutor for formal assessment.

Letter Writing and Words of Negotiation

Lawyers are letter writers, and the quality of a letter reveals the quality of the writer.
Letters must be written in clear, straight-to-the-point, and simple language to meet the reader's needs and make it comprehensible to the readers.
Types of letter writing include official letters, memoranda, legal opinions, and reports.
The format of a letter is important, and words of negotiation are crucial in letter writing.

Description

Test your knowledge of legal drafting with this quiz on expressions and words relating to time, rules of drafting, and techniques of drafting. Assess your understanding of the key concepts and principles of legal writing. Great for law students and professionals!