CPD 456.1 – Clarity in Legal Writing – Five Techniques to Avoid Ambiguity

Recorded: 2026-06-10
Qualifies for 1 CPD Hours.

In this session, you will explore five techniques for drafting clear emails and documents. By applying these techniques, you will ensure that your readers can fully understand your legal writing, even when your files are complex.

Throughout this engaging session, the instructor will display before-and-after examples of legal writing that demonstrate the five techniques for drafting clearly. The program will challenge you to identify why each writing example is ambiguous before the instructor shows how to eliminate the confusion.

Upon learning the five techniques for achieving clarity, you will be able to visualize your own writing from the perspective of your readers. As a result, your readers will be more likely to accept your position on legal issues.

• Explain legal concepts using simple language
• Decide when to repeat a term versus when to use a synonym
• Determine when to use (and when to avoid) the word “and”
• Identify misplaced modifiers and ambiguous references
• Draft emails and documents that are easy to read — even for non-lawyers

Presenter: Ryan Standil

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This content has been prepared for use in conjunction with a CPD program hosted by the Law Society of Saskatchewan. Reproduction of any portion of the program content, for purposes other than personal use, without the express written consent of the Law Society is strictly prohibited. The presenters have assumed that viewers will exercise their professional judgment regarding the correctness and applicability of the program content. The Law Society can accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions and expressly disclaims any such responsibility.

This transcript has been generated by an automated speech recognition system and may contain misspellings, mistranslations, or errors. It may be incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or speech recognition errors. It is provided as is without any warranties or guarantees of accuracy. The Law Society of Saskatchewan does not assume any responsibility or liability for the use or interpretation of this transcript.