If you're dealing in any kind of business affairs, you will most likely need to write a contract of some kind for some reason or other. Legal writing can sometimes be daunting; drafting a contract may seem complicated, but it doesn't have to be. This web page will give you some resources and advice on how to write a contract.
Here are some tips on writing a contract:
- Be Clear, Concise, and Straightforward. You don't necessarily need to use confusing legalize when writing contracts. Just use clear language to accurately express details in an efficient manner.
- Clearly State the Parties Involved. Establish, by name, who the involved contractual parties are, then assign generic names to the parties, such as "Company" and "Client", and refer to the parties in that manner from that point forward in the contract.
- Define the Reason for the Contract. What is the purpose? What do you hope to accomplish? Why does a contract need to be written in this situation?
- Address Every Possible Aspect. Break down every aspect of the particular contractual agreement into its separate components, then define what the acceptable behavior and results regarding each component.
- End with Signatures. Make sure you get each contractual party to sign and date the contract.
I highly recommend a few books and guides on legal writing and how to write contracts:
Writing Contracts: A Distinct Discipline. This is a unique work that adjusts the draftsman's perspective to focus on the objective common to all agreements: accuracy expressed as simply as possible. It then presents the techniques required to achieve this result, even dealing with the ethics involved in drafting agreements. The treatment is rich with examples, so the reader is never consigned to a limbo of abstraction.
Legal Writing Handbook: Analysis, Research, and Writing. This handbook comprises four complete guides covering various aspects of legal writing. The first discusses the basics of the discipline and describes the writing of specific types of documents--memoranda, client letters, and briefs. The others offer instruction on research, effective writing, and correct writing. Examples appear throughout the text, illustrating the principles the book articulates.
Elements of Legal Style. This book offers authoritative, down-to-earth, and often witty advice on a broad array of writing concerns, from basic grammatical rules to enhancing clarity, force, and persuasiveness.