A new article ‘Improving Written Submissions’ by Judge Alan Troy of the District Court of Western Australia has been added to the Reference Materials folder on the matter plan in all By Lawyers Litigation guides.

His Honour’s article, first published in Brief, the Journal of the Law Society of Western Australia, is full of valuable tips for improving written submissions. It will greatly assist practitioners when they are preparing submissions for all types of matters, in all courts.

The article emphasises the need to use clear and plain English, to be brief and succinct, to persuade the court via credible legal argument and to logically structure the submissions. His Honour recommends stating the main point of the argument at the outset and introducing each topic with a brief summary of the real substance of the issue to which it relates.

Drawing on his substantial experience both as an advocate and on the bench, Judge Troy gives specific and very practical guidance on how practitioners can best construct written submissions with these tenets in mind. His Honour’s tips include the use of a chronology, ways to structure both the text and the arguments and the importance of ruthless final editing.

By Lawyers are very pleased to make this helpful article available to our subscribers across Australia.