(The Enduring Power of Attorney (APA) was replaced by the Enduring Power of Attorney (APA) on October 1, 2007. An EPA created before this date is still legal and can still be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian. After this date, you must create an LPA instead.) The word passive reverses the natural and active order of English sentences. In the following passive example, the receiver of the action comes before the actor. 1. Write with an active voice. The active voice eliminates confusion by forcing you to name the actor in one sentence. This construction clearly indicates to the reader who must fulfill the duty. The passive makes sentences longer and heavier.

Who is responsible for this is much less obvious. Passive verbs have a form of the verb to be more the past participle of a main verb. To impose a legal obligation, use „must“. To predict future actions, use „will.“ DO NOT SAY: Let the governor approve it. SAY: The governor must approve it. [Commitment] OR: The governor will approve it. [Future actions] 4. Be direct. Speak directly to your readers. Enjoy the imperative mood. Regulations are suitable for this style, especially procedures, instructions, and to-do lists.

The franchise avoids the liability:SAY: Sign all copies. SAY: Attach a copy of your W-2 to your return. This style results in shorter, sharper and easier to understand procedures. 5. Use the present tense. A regulation with continuing effect refers to when you apply it, not when you write it or when it comes into force. For this reason, you should write regulations in the present tense. By drawing in the present tense, you avoid complicated and cumbersome verbal forms. DON`T: The fine for driving without a licence is $10.00. SAY: The fine for driving without a licence is $10.00. 6.

Write positively. If you can express an idea positively or negatively, express it positively. DO NOT SAY: The governor cannot appoint persons other than those qualified by the Human Resources Agency. SAY: The governor must appoint a qualified person by the Human Resources Agency. A negative statement can be clear. Use it when you warn the reader. DON`T WALKDON`T SMOKE But avoid multiple negatives in a sentence. DON`T SAY: A demonstration project will not be approved until all the requirements of the application are met. SAY: A demonstration project will only be approved if the applicant meets all requirements. It is better to express even a negative in a positive form. They are called „nominal“ – nouns with verbs inside. They are difficult to read and make longer sentences.

Action verbs are shorter and more direct. 3. Use „shall“ instead of „should.“ 19. Write short sentences. Readable sentences are simple, active, affirmative and declarative. The more a sentence deviates from this structure, the more difficult it is to understand. Long sentences are a fundamental weakness of legal documents. Legal documents often contain conditions that result in complex sentences with many clauses. The more complex the sentence, the more likely it will be to determine the intended meaning of the sentence.

Passive: The [recipient] settlement was written by the author [actor]. Active: The author [actor] wrote [verb] the [recipient] settlement. Passive constructions are confusing when used in regulations. Active sentences must have actors, but passive sentences are complete without them. The wording of the act is changing. Many lawyers now adopt a simple English style. But there are still legal phrases that baffle non-lawyers. This guide is intended to help in two ways: English-French, from Latin legalis, de leg-, lex law 7.

If possible, specify a rule or category directly, rather than describing the rule or category by specifying its exceptions. DON`T SAY: All people, except those over the age of 18, must do so. SAY: Anyone under the age of 18 must do so. However, you can use an exception if it avoids a long and tedious list or detailed description. If you are using an exception, first specify the rule or category, and then specify the exception. DON`T SAY: Alabama, Alaska,. and Wyoming (a list of 47 states) must ration. SAY: All states except Texas, New Mexico and Arizona must ration. (Note that the „each state“ category is set first, and then exceptions are specified.) 8. Avoid divided infinitives.

The shared infinitive offends many readers, so avoid it if you can. DON`T SAY: Make sure you respond to the invitation promptly. SAY: Make sure you respond to the invitation immediately. or SAY: Make sure you respond to the invitation immediately. 9. Use the singular noun instead of the plural noun. As far as your meaning allows, use a singular noun instead of a plural noun. You avoid the problem of whether the rule applies separately to each member of a class or collectively to the class as a whole. DON`T: The security guard will issue security badges to employees working in buildings D and E.

SAY: The security guard issues a security badge to every employee who works in Building D and every employee who works in Building E. Unless you mean that the safety officer issues a security pass to each employee who works in both Building D and Building E. (There are other possible meanings.) 10. Be consistent. Don`t use different words to mean the same things. Variation for the sake of variation has no place in the drafting of regulations. Using a synonym instead of repeating the exact term you intend to use only confuses the reader. DON`T SAY: Every motor vehicle owner must register their car with the Automobile Department of the Metropolitan Police Department. SAY: Every car owner must register their car with the Automobile Department of the Metropolitan Police Department. Don`t use the same word to refer to different things. DON`T: The tank had a 200-gallon tank for fuel.

SAY: The tank had a 200-gallon fuel tank. 11. Use a parallel structure. Arrange sentences so that parallel ideas seem parallel. This is important if you are using a list. Non-parallel construction: The functions of the Executive Secretary of the Administrative Committee are as follows: legal, legal, legitimate, lawful and legal means to comply with the law. Licite may apply to conformity with laws of any kind (e.g., natural, divine, general, or canonical). The legal sovereign right applies to what is sanctioned by law or in accordance with the law, especially if it is written or administered by the courts. Legal residents of the state may legitimately refer to a legal right or status, but also, in the case of extensive use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom or accepted norms.