A seminar for people who need to communicate legal issues to non lawyers
PROGRAM
9:30 – 9:40am
Opening remarks
Laurie Glanfield, Director General, NSW Attorney-General's Department
9:40 – 10:15am
What is plain language law and why use it?
Peter Butt, Associate Professor of Law, University of Sydney
This session will define plain language law and argue for its widespread use. Prof. Butt will look at how plain legal writing can be used for even very complex law, without losing the integrity of the legal meaning. He will provide examples and case studies which illustrate best practice and the obstacles people may face when trying to implement PLL. He will situate his talk within the historical context of the plain language law movement both in Australia and abroad.
10:15 – 10:50am
The benefits of plain language for an organisation [paper not available]
Christopher Balmford, Director, Words and Beyond Pty Ltd
This session will cover the benefits of plain language for an organisation. It will do this mainly by focusing on corporate image with regard to “voice” and “branding”. Every document that leaves an organisation for the public gives a clear message (voice of the document) about the nature of that organisation. How, for example, does a government department want to sound to the public of NSW, through its publications? Christopher will explore these issues and provide examples of best practice.
11:10 – 11:45am
ICAC and plain English: a work in progress [Powerpoint presentation] [ICAC Style Guide]
Dominic Riordan, Manager, Corruption Prevention, Independent Commission Against Corruption
Dominic will talk about the process involved in introducing plain language writing into the Corruption Prevention area of ICAC. He will focus on the importance of bringing about a culture shift in the way that publications are structured and written. In this context, he will discuss why this strategy was introduced, how it was implemented and evaluated, lessons learnt and new directions.
11:45am – 12:15pm
Reaching young people - making legal information Streetwize!
Liz Skelton, General Manager , Streetwize Communications
Streetwize Communications specialises in communicating social issues and other messages to young people in accessible entertaining and culturally-relevant ways. Liz will discuss the philosophy behind Streetwize communications, using examples of work they have done for both government and other sectors. She will use case studies to look at the issues involved in communicating with specific audiences (e.g. young people, low literacy, indigenous) and discuss the process of user testing that Steetwize undertake to ensure that their message hits the mark and is well received.
1:15 – 1:45pm
Counsel, clients, courts and communicating
Justice John Faulks, Leader, Self Represented Litigants Project, Family Court of Australia
Justice Faulks will discuss the experience of the Family Court in communicating complex legal issues to the public. He will discuss the initiatives the Family Court has implemented in this area in relation to the self-represented litigants project, why were they introduced, and the success of these initiatives.
1:45 – 2:10pm
Writing about law in plain language: challenges and strategies [paper not available]
Rosemary Barry, Senior Editor, Redfern Legal Centre Publishing
As Senior Editor at Redfern Legal Centre Publishing, Rosemary Barry has extensive experience in translating the law into plain language through publications such as the Law Handbook and Neighbours. Rosemary will discuss her experiences in “translating” legalise into plain language law.
2:30 – 3:30pm
Plain language in action: an interactive rewrite [paper not available]
Christopher Balmford, Director, Words and Beyond Pty Ltd
Christopher will demonstrate, through an interactive rewrite of a document, some of the key elements of writing in plain English. This session will particularly focus on the importance of the structure of documents.
Seminar participants will also receive a workbook containing checklists for writing plain language law, a bibliography of plain language law resources and a list of plain language law training providers.
