Opinion Writing 2008-2009 2008 Edition

• ISBN13: 9780199553501
• ISBN10: 0199553505
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-11-01
• Publisher: Blackstone Press

Summary

It is essential that all barristers develop the specialist skill of advising on practical matters such as evidence and procedure. Opinion Writing provides trainee barristers with a thorough grounding in the essential elements of this skill. The manual adopts a systematic approach to opinionwriting, first dealing with analysis of the issues of a case, followed by deciding on what advice should be given and how the opinion should be structured, and finally with writing the opinion to a high professional standard. The fundamental qualities of effective writing - clarity, accuracy andconciseness - are clearly identified and explained and the manual encourages trainee barristers to develop the unrivalled level of proficiency in writing required of all practising barristers.Opinion Writing is essential reading for all trainee barristers, and is also a useful source of reference for junior practitioners wishing to refresh or refine their opinion writing skills.

Author Biography

This manual is edited by Allison Wolfgarten, Barrister, Senior Lecturer, The City Law School

Table of Contents

1. Introduction2. Qualities of good writing3. Plain English4. Introduction to opinion writing5. Opinion writing6. The use of law in an option7. Getting started8. An illustration of the opinion writing process9. Examples of barristers' opinions10. Advising for the purposes of public funding in civil cases11. Advice on evidence in a civil case12. Advice on evidence in a criminal case13. Advice on evidence and quantum14. Checklist for Opinion Writing SkillsAppendix A: Improving your writing skillsAppendix B: ExercisesAppendix C: Further exercisesAppendix D: Re Mr and Mrs Roberts