Opinion Writing

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Description
The writing of opinions is a vital part of the work as a barrister. Every barrister must be able to give written advice to a client. This manual covers all the essential elements of the skill of Opinion Writing.
The first section identifies the fundamental qualities of good writing: clarity, accuracy and conciseness. Every student will already have some skill in using words, but for the barrister the use of the written words must be developed to a professional level. The second section covers the specific skill of writing  an Opinion. A systematic approach to this process is adopted: analysing the issues in the case from the information contained in the instructions from the solicitor, deciding what advice should be given, deciding the best structure for the Opinion and then producing the Opinion itself. The Manual also includes a substantial numbers of Opinion written by practising barristers. The emphasis throughout is on the giving of practical advice in order to achieve a high standard of Opinion Writing
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Contents
1.    Introduction
2.    Qualities of Good Writing
3.    Plain English
4.    Introduction to Opinion Writing
5.    Opinion Writing
6.    The Use of Law in an Opinion
7.    Getting started
8.    An Illustration of the Opinion Writing Process
9.    Examples of barristers' opinions
10.  Advising for the Purposes of Public Funding in civil cases
11.  Advice on eidence in a ciil case
12.  Advice on Evidence in a Criminal Case
13.  Advice on Evidence and Quantum
14.  Checklist for opinion writing skills
Appendix A : Improving your writing skills
Appendix B : Exercises
Appendix C : Further exercises
Appendix D : Re Mr and Mrs Roberts
Index
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Author Details
Authors
Edward Bailey, Barrister, Middle Temple
Susan Blake, Barrister, Director of Studies, ICSL
Michael Bowes, QC, Middle Temple
Martin Burr, Barrister, Middle Temple
Richard Colbey, Barrister, Inner Temple
Paul Corben, Barriser, Gray’s Inn
David Emmet, Barrister, Senior Lecturer, ICSL
Peter Hungerford-Welch, Barrister, Principal Lecturer,ICSL
Snigdha Nag, Barrister, Lecturer, ICSL
Selena Plowden, Barrister, Lecturer,ICSL
His Honour Judge William Rose
Richard Salter QC, Barrister, Senior Lecturer, ICSL
Stuart Sime, Barrister,Senior Lecturer ICSL
Anthony Snelson, Barrister, Gray’s Inn
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