PRIMER OF OPINION WRITING, FOR FOUR NEW JUDGES

• NCJ Number: 15012
• Author(s): G R SMITH
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT

Annotation

SUGGESTIONS ON THE PLANNING, COMPOSITION, ARRANGEMENT, AND USE OF LEGALISTIC LANGUAGE IN WRITING JUDICAL OPINIONS, WITH RECOMMENDED REFERENCE WORKS.

Abstract

TWO TRADITIONAL METHODS OF CONSIDERING AND DECIDING CASES, THE GRAND STYLE AND THE FORMAL STYLE, ARE FIRST EXAMINED. THE NECESSITY AND JUSTIFICATION FOR WRITTEN OPINIONS ARE ALSO INVESTIGATED. A FIVE-STEP FORMULA FOR THE WRITING OF OPINIONS IS PRESENTED, WHICH INCLUDES THE OPENING PARAGRAPH, AN INDICATION OF ISSUES ON APPEAL, A STATEMENT OF THE FACTS, A DISCUSSION OF THE LAW, AND A CONCLUSION. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OPENING PARAGRAPH. ADVISE ON THE USE OF LEGALISMS, HUMOR, AND FOOTNOTES IS ALSO PROVIDED.