Legal Documentation: Key Mistakes to Avoid

Filings in the U.S. courts of appeals have increased by 5%. Making a mistake in legal documentation could make you part of that stat.

You might think that one small mistake doesn’t matter, but it could jeopardize your business, integrity, and more. What can you do to avoid legal documentation errors?

While it might seem overwhelming, there’s hope. Read this guide on key mistakes to avoid when preparing legal documents today!

Not Performing Research

Before you pay for same day document delivery, do your research and ensure that you don’t make a clerical error. Avoid a business risk by properly performing research and identifying the relevant issues in a case. Research also helps you know the facts of a case.

Ensure all facts are accurate as well. If you have inaccurate information, the legal document will be worthless.

Being Too Technical

Don’t use technical jargon unless necessary. Only use technical terms if it’s relevant. Most people outside your field won’t be able to follow what you’re stating.

If a word doesn’t add meaning to the document, avoid it. Avoid too large of words to ensure it’s readable.

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Misused Words

Research common words that people often misuse. This will ensure that you’re using them correctly. Check the thesaurus or dictionary for help, whether online or off.

These could include:

• Their/They’re/There
• Insure/Ensure
• Elude/Allude
• Its/It’s

Use a spell checker to find grammatical errors. These are an example, but there are plenty of others.

Not Editing

Edit your work before sending it off. Consider printing it out and making corrections.

You could also read it out loud to go paperless. Take a break during editing to ensure you don’t miss errors.

You can also make corrections afterward. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15 allows you to amend a pleading within 21 days of filing. Let the opposing counsel and court know what you’re changing if you decide to do this.

Using Passive Language

Avoid passive language whenever possible since it’s not as readable. The active language suggests doing things, while passive can come off as others performing it for you.

Passive voice isn’t clear and can lead to confusion. Avoid words including: are, were, was, been, etc. You can also cut down on sentences to ensure they’re more readable for a varied audience.

Being Vague

Avoid being vague. This could include not providing enough details, examples, etc. If you write in this manner, others will be confused and struggle to understand the document. If you’re too vague, the document could be interpreted differently.

Errors To Avoid With Legal Documentation

After exploring this guide, you should better understand errors to avoid with legal documentation. Take your time deciding what to look out for and continue to research other mistakes to avoid.

Would you like to read more helpful content to steer you in the right direction? Then, be sure to check out our other articles today!