Drafting Readable Statutes
by Christopher Enright
Vast numbers of statutes rule our lives. Many of them are not easy to read. Parts of some are almost impossible to read. This book sets out some ways of drafting statutes that makes them easier to read.
The basis of the technique is to structure a statute at two levels - the macro and the micro. The macro level is the big picture. The important goal here is to divide the statute into its major parts and their various levels of subparts in a manner the helps a reader to make sense of the purpose of the part or subpart and its role in helping the statute to achieve its purpose and object. The micro level contains the specific legal rules that constitute the statute.
The vast majority of legal rules possess a structure that has a standard form consisting of a conditional statement that embraces and connects the elements of the rule and the consequences of the rule. The way to make a statute clear at this level is to ensure that the text makes clear to the reader the elements and consequences of each rule.
80 pages softcover
About the Author
Christopher Enright is a chartered accountant, barrister and solicitor. He has lectured in law at several universities. He specialises in legal method.