Preface

Part 1 Written communication skills

1 Academic writing

Learning objectives

Introduction

Academic writing style

Sentence structure

Spelling

Paragraph writing

Writing for exams and coursework

Acknowledging the source in academic writing

Summary

2 Reading law at university

Learning objectives

Introduction

Reading techniques

Note making

Legal sources

Summary

3 Writing letters, e-mails and internal documents

Learning objectives

Introduction

Letter writing in practice

Structure and style

Writing internal documents

Summary

4 Drafting legal documents for business

Learning objectives

Introduction

Drafting company documents

Company meetings and resolutions

Notice of general meeting

Drafting legal agreements

Summary

5 Drafting for court

Learning objectives

Drafting documents for court

Idiomatic use of legal English

Recording terms of settlement

Summary

Part 2 Oral communication skills

6 Oral presentation skills

Learning objectives

Introduction

Oral presentation at university

Mock trials and mooting

Summary

7 Interviewing and advising

Learning objectives

Introduction

Introductory stage： 'ice—breaking'

Fact—gathering stage

Advice stage

Closing stage

Summary

8 Negotiation

Learning objectives

Introduction

Why negotiate？

The negotiation process

Concluding stage

Without prejudice negotiation

Negotiating styles and strategies

Recording the agreement

Summary

9 Advocacy

Learning objectives

Introduction

Commencement

Trial advocacy

Application advocacy： making an application to court

A civil case： choosing the correct part of speech

Language practice for a criminal case

Addressing the court： speaking techniques

Note taking in court

Advocacy practice

Alternative dispute resolution(ADR)

Summary

Appendix： Legal study and research guide

Glossary

Suggested answers to exercises