How are commas used in legal writing?

TIP: Use a comma between the last items in a series. Though sometimes considered optional, the use of this comma in legal writing is recommended to avoid any possible confusion. TIP: Commas are generally used with “which” clauses but not with “that” clauses.

What does a comma mean in legal terms?

According to Cuny School of Law, commas must separate independent clauses whenever they are joined together by coordinating conjunctions, such as and, for, but, or, yet and nor. You should also use commas to separate three or more phrases, clauses or words within a sentence (eg:phrases, clauses or words).

Is there a comma before and in legal writing?

"The court hears arguments, pleas, and requests." Many sources on legal writing say so. In fact, it's difficult to find any source that doesn't say so: "In legal writing, place a comma at the end of each item listed, including the item listed immediately before the and." Mary Barnard Ray & Jill J.

Why are commas not used in legal documents?

Simply omitting the commas often leads to ambiguity or an unintended meaning. For example: This lawyer, said the judge, is a fool. This lawyer said the judge is a fool.

Do commas go inside quotes legal writing?

Periods and commas go inside quotation marks, including single quotation marks. She said, “Bill said, 'I don't think we should see each other anymore. '” Colons, semicolons and dashes remain outside quotation marks.

Commas For Legal Writing

Does legal writing use the Oxford comma?

Lawyers should use the Oxford comma to help avoid ambiguity. Three ambiguities may arise without this comma: Whether the two final items in a list are one combined element or separate.

How do you list items in legal writing?

In legal writing, colons are typically used to introduce list items. After all, law is a series of elemental lists. Where lawyers often go astray with colons, however, is failing to make the introductory clause a complete independent clause.

What do you mean by punctuation in legislative drafting?

PUNCTUATION. Punctuation is used by the drafter to assist the reader of the law to. understand the text easily. There are general rules about punctuation as follows: PUNCTUATION RULES.

What is a superfluous comma?

Except after an introductory dependent clause, do not use a comma to separate a dependent clause from a main clause unless the dependent clause provides nonessential information.

How do you punctuate dates in legal writing?

Thou Shalt Set Off Complete Dates With Commas, But Thou Shalt Not Insert a Comma Between a Month and a Year (Unless Thou Writest for The New Yorker) So this: You have until May 1, 2014, to get back to us with your answer.

Is there a comma after attorney?

If you are introducing a quote with a phrase such as “He said,” “The record states,” or “As Justice Scalia wrote,” you must use a comma before the quotation marks: The defense attorney shouted, “I object to that question!”

Why do lawyers put two spaces after a period?

He explains that the use of two spaces between sentences derives from when everyone was writing on manual typewriters. Due to how typewriters handled proportionate spacing, it was easier to read typewritten documents which placed two periods between sentences.

Is there a comma after plaintiff?

3) Use a comma to indicate that more information follows. The plaintiff filed his reply brief, which was longer than court rules permitted. The court held for the plaintiff, finding that the defendant's explanation was not credible. 4) Use a comma before a conjunction that introduces a new subject and verb.

What is it called when you use too many commas?

Problem. Comma misuse is a common occurrence. If a writer leaves out commas, then too much information in the sentence runs together, reducing clarity.

What is it called when you add an unnecessary comma?

A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma instead of an acceptable form of punctuation, such as a comma with a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, or a period. A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses fuse together without punctuation to separate them.

What is incorrect use of comma called?

A comma splice occurs when you place a comma between two independent clauses without a conjunction between them. A Grammarian would consider this an inappropriate use of the comma.

Why does the usage of punctuation consider to be one of the important factors in legal English?

Writing formally in English is more than just choosing the right words in the right order. Using punctuation in your writing helps the reader to clearly understand the message that is being conveyed. A wrongly used punctuation or a missing punctuation can change the entire meaning of a sentence.

Is punctuation part of statute?

Punctuation. In ancient times, statutes were passed without punctuation and naturally, therefore, the courts were not concerned with looking at punctuation. But in modern times statutes contain punctuation.

What is punctuation in interpretation of statutes?

Punctuation is a minor, and not a controlling, element in interpretation, and the Courts will disregard the punctuation of a statute, or re-punctuate it, if need be, to give effect to what otherwise appears to be its purpose and true meaning. Punctuation marks are no part of an Act.

When listing things do you use a comma or semicolon?

Semicolons and Lists

Using semicolons when ordering lists written out in paragraph form provides a more structured experience for the reader, as the semicolons reduce the risk of confusion that can be common with commas.

Why you shouldn't use the Oxford comma?

Why don't they use it? Many opponents of the Oxford comma claim that it makes a piece of writing sound more pretentious and stuffy, and that it can make things seem cluttered and redundant. Many magazine publishers renounce its use as well, because sentences loaded with commas take up valuable page space.

Why is the Oxford comma controversial?

This practice is controversial and is known as the serial comma or Oxford comma, because it is part of the house style of Oxford University Press." There are cases in which the use of the serial comma can avoid ambiguity and also instances in which its use can introduce ambiguity.

What is the Oxford comma rule?

The Oxford comma is the comma placed before the conjunction at the end of a list of things. For example, in “the flag was red, white, and blue”, the Oxford comma would be the one appearing before “and”. Proponents of the Oxford comma say it's necessary for removing ambiguity in sentences.

How do you join compound words in legal writing?

So here's the rule: when a compound modifier directly precedes a noun, it usually has a hyphen. Note that in the rule above, when a compound modifier directly precedes a noun, it usually has a hyphen. A hyphen is usually but not always required because it comes down to a matter of clarity.

How do you signal an interruption in legal writing?

Use an em dash (the longer dash symbol) to indicate an interruption or an abrupt change in thought or to insert supplemental information. If the interruption or insertion comes in the middle of a sentence, add a closing dash to signal the end of the interruption.