Why choose this course?

This course will help you to work more accurately and effectively in English. You will increase your confidence in using legal English, make a good impression, and compete better with other lawyers who work in English.
Whether you wish to work generally on your legal English, or on a particular project or a skill, our highly experienced solicitor-trainers will tailor the course to your and your organisation’s needs.

Who should attend?

Lawyers from private practice, industry and government organisations.
You should have at least a B2 level of English (European Council reference for language levels). We will assess your level.
For those with a lower level, please discuss with us a modified course that addresses grammar in a legal context.

How will we tailor the course?

Whatever you wish to work on, we can advise on the appropriate training. We will always agree course objectives and content with you.
To help us tailor your course, we will also assess your language level and your writing and oral skills.

What can we cover?

We will agree course content with you, and you can choose from any of the following. You can also suggest any other content that is not listed.

Legal vocabulary and use
For your practice area and in your chosen context. 

Grammar in a legal context
To address issues identified in pre-course assessment and in training feedback.
Some other common grammar issues, for example relating to prepositions and to countable/uncountable nouns.

British English and American English
Highlighting some differences.

Oral skills (varied as agreed)
Discussing laws and judgments, and comparing your law with English law
Summarising legal texts
Advising clients
Presenting (mini or full presentations)
Participating in meetings
Negotiating
Telephoning and participating in video calls

Writing and drafting
Writing for the reader and for your purposes
Strategies for clear, succinct writing eg avoiding ambiguity and wordiness; structuring sentences, paragraphs and clauses.
Formality and informality, including adjusting tone
Letters and email, including letters of advice
Report extracts
Contract drafting (an introduction)

Listening
Recordings and videos, and through listening to the trainer and other participants

Reading
Articles, extracts from legal texts, laws and judgments

What exercises will you do?

You will complete exercises throughout, many in pairs and threes so that you benefit from interaction and practice with others.
Exercises include case studies, writing and role-play, all to focus on or recreate real work-scenarios.
We can work on your chosen scenarios, and on your particular work documents so long as you redact and anonymise them for confidentiality.
For contract drafting, we use real template clauses.