The Scribes Journal of Legal Writing (Vol 11: 2007)

Although Adler's primary audience is British, all English-speaking lawyers will find much to interest them. In the opening chapters, Adler not only explains why legalese is obstructive — even destructive — but also gives ample illustrations of his points. He devotes the rest of the book to advice on how to produce effective legal writing by using plain language, paying attention to punctuation, and considering who a document's readers are, always with clear analyses of traditional legal writing and plain language equivalents. To expand on select points, Adler also presents advice from other authorities on legal language, such as David Mellinkoff, Robert Eagleson, and Joseph Kimble; the additional advice is always useful. For anyone who's still afraid to write legal documents in plain English, this book is an excellent place to start. As stated in volume 2 of the Scribes Journal , in a review of the first edition, "Adler has...create[d] a clever, inventive, and practical guide to legal writing."


Clarity (57: May 2007)

Clarity for Lawyers is a practical book, written for lawyers by a lawyer. As you would expect, it's well written and easy to understand. As you might not expect, it's also entertaining. (More than once I was caught laughing out loud while reading it.) I think it will appeal to practising lawyers of all backgrounds and experience levels.

Marco Stella, Special Counsel (Know How), Mallesons Stephen Jacques


The Surrey Lawyer

All lawyers need this book....

I suggest you read 'Adler on Clarity', starting at the beginning when Mr Adler writes that "this book is intended to give lawyers a better life". It does just that! The book succeeds in doing so brilliantly, and in a friendly manner. Adler has drawn from highly authoritative sources to make his point, including comments from the late Professor John Adams, acknowledging a list of distinguished personal contributors, and Lord Bingham's acute observation that "you cannot write clearly unless you know clearly what it is you want to say"....

I see Clarity for Lawyers as a publication to be recommended in publications such as Which magazine, and its organisation, the Consumers' Association, plus all the consumer groups trying to establish modern rules of writing "fit for purpose" (an unfortunate phrase) in the twenty-first century....

Probably the greatest benefit to lawyers are the working examples throughout showing how legalese can be rewritten into plain English. The examples are taken from Adler's extensive experience in practice and in teaching.... From what I have seen of this book, and it needs to be read over with care, it is highly suitable for the Bar course as well and has relevance to a much wider audience for its reader-friendly style. All interviewees should read it, too.

Phillip Taylor, barrister, book review editor, The Barrister