When you're making legal documents in today's digital world, it's important to keep a balance between looking professional and making things easy to share online. Here are some tips I've learned that can help your legal documents look great, especially for university projects or internships.
Font Choice: Use standard fonts like Times New Roman or Arial. A size 12 font is easy to read. Stay away from fancy fonts because they can make it hard to focus on the content.
Margins and Spacing: Usually, one-inch margins on every side are best. Use double spacing for the text to keep it readable. But for longer quotes or references, you can use single spacing to save some room.
Headings and Subheadings: Divide your documents into sections with clear headings. This helps keep things organized and makes it easier for your reader to find what they need. You can use bold or bigger font sizes for your headings.
Memos: Start with a heading that shows "To," "From," "Date," and "Subject." Make sure to explain what your memo is about right at the top so it’s clear.
Briefs: If your document is long, include a table of contents. Use sections like Statement of Facts, Argument, and Conclusion. Be consistent in naming your points and subpoints.
Contracts: Number your paragraphs and clearly define each section. Use bullet points to make lists, and make sure that what each party is responsible for is clear and easy to find.
File Format: PDFs are great for sharing documents because they keep your formatting intact. If you’re using Word, ensure you have the latest version to avoid problems later.
Version Control: When working with others, always name your document versions (like “Contract_v3_May2023”) to keep things clear. If you can, keep a main copy that everyone looks back to.
Accessibility: Think about how people will access your document. Adding bookmarks in PDFs or links in digital documents can make it easier to use.
Before you send or print your document, always check for any formatting mistakes and remove anything unnecessary. The goal is to make your writing shine without being distracted by bad formatting. It might feel like a lot to remember, but trust me—it’s worth it for clear and professional documents!
When you're making legal documents in today's digital world, it's important to keep a balance between looking professional and making things easy to share online. Here are some tips I've learned that can help your legal documents look great, especially for university projects or internships.
Font Choice: Use standard fonts like Times New Roman or Arial. A size 12 font is easy to read. Stay away from fancy fonts because they can make it hard to focus on the content.
Margins and Spacing: Usually, one-inch margins on every side are best. Use double spacing for the text to keep it readable. But for longer quotes or references, you can use single spacing to save some room.
Headings and Subheadings: Divide your documents into sections with clear headings. This helps keep things organized and makes it easier for your reader to find what they need. You can use bold or bigger font sizes for your headings.
Memos: Start with a heading that shows "To," "From," "Date," and "Subject." Make sure to explain what your memo is about right at the top so it’s clear.
Briefs: If your document is long, include a table of contents. Use sections like Statement of Facts, Argument, and Conclusion. Be consistent in naming your points and subpoints.
Contracts: Number your paragraphs and clearly define each section. Use bullet points to make lists, and make sure that what each party is responsible for is clear and easy to find.
File Format: PDFs are great for sharing documents because they keep your formatting intact. If you’re using Word, ensure you have the latest version to avoid problems later.
Version Control: When working with others, always name your document versions (like “Contract_v3_May2023”) to keep things clear. If you can, keep a main copy that everyone looks back to.
Accessibility: Think about how people will access your document. Adding bookmarks in PDFs or links in digital documents can make it easier to use.
Before you send or print your document, always check for any formatting mistakes and remove anything unnecessary. The goal is to make your writing shine without being distracted by bad formatting. It might feel like a lot to remember, but trust me—it’s worth it for clear and professional documents!