What is POFP?

Why do lawyers refer to long documents as briefs and
18-year olds as infants? Why do they use so much Latin when so few of their
clients are Ancient Romans? Is it a conspiracy?


Party of the First Part has the answers! Check out the Website for the
Legalese Hall of Shame; a glossary of legal words linked to Adam Freedman's
columns; tips on writing legal documents in plain English; and more!



Sunday, December 2, 2007

Fighting Legalese in Malaysia

The English-language paper of Malaysia, The Star, recently featured a column by a British Council member lamenting the use of legalese in his tenancy agreement. "Apparently, I was 'desirous of tenanting said premises' – or something like that," wrote the author, Tom Hayton.

Hayton argues for greater clarity in legal writing -- and he rails against the rise of gobbledygook, citing (drumroll, please), our very own Legalese Hall of Shame. Thanks Tom!