Pleadings Without Tears

Book excerpt: Pleadings Without Tears has become established as one of the most successful books on practical legal drafting in the context of litigation. This new eighth edition is fully updated to take account of Civil Procedure Rule (CPR) changes since the last edition. The book takes a practical and insightful look at the subject of legal drafting, enabling the reader to become more confident in approaching this often unnecessarily daunting subject. It focuses on core skills and fundamental rules while clearly addressing each stage of the process and goes beyond a straightforward setting out of the precedents and authorities relevant to statements of case. It gives clear examples of how to set out relevant matters with clarity and precision and encourages the reader to give full consideration to concise and clear identification of the subject matter of the action, the issues of the case and the parties' respective positions in respect to those issues. With a wealth of practical examples and anecdotes - and illustrated throughout with cartoons - the light and entertaining style, combined with detailed analysis and explanation, enables the reader to easily acquire a good understanding of drafting.