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*Help* How Do I Write A legal Brief?

  • 22-10-2010 3:29pm
    #1
    fe1ready
    Closed Accounts Posts: 62 ✭✭


    I just started interning at a firm and they asked me to help them write a brief next week for a case that they just started on. I'm a little lost.

    All suggestions welcome :)


Comments

  • #2
    Robbo
    Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 10,581 Mod ✭✭✭✭Robbo


    Go down to the filing room and dig out a concluded file and the brief. This will give you an idea of the house style.

    If it's a civil matter, start off with copies of the civil bill, related motions, summonses, notice of trial etc. You may need to put in some of the interparty correspondence if there's been issues (discovery based hijinks for example).

    Then move onto the relevant reports (engineers, doctors etc), copies of receipts for specials.

    Remember to keep it all in chronological order and don't make a mess of the original file when you're taking stuff in and out of it to copy.


  • #3
    fe1ready
    Closed Accounts Posts: 62 ✭✭fe1ready


    thank you, much appreciated.


  • #4
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    If there is some sort of synopsis of the relevant facts or an attendance note from a consultation then stick that in the front too, that goes double if there have been no papers drafted like a statement of claim or a plenary summons.


  • #5
    johnnyskeleton
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 14,549 Mod ✭✭✭✭johnnyskeleton


    I assume the OP means to write a brief letter/note rather than prepare a brief for counsel.

    A good brief letter/note is, well, brief. It sets out clearly and concisely all the relevant facts without getting into too much detail (although, where there is a grey area on the facts it should refer to this difficulty rather than give an opinion of the correct version).

    It should also set out the legal issues and problems in the case.

    Finally, it should give an outline of the procedure that has taken place to date and the next steps that should be taken.


  • #6
    Amazotheamazing
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,048 ✭✭✭Amazotheamazing


    There should be other briefs either saved on the computer system at work or with the closed files.

    Ask a secretary to email you a brief that was just completed so you can see what the boss likes and go from there.

    The advice I was given was to make a brief so straightforward that a three year old could understand it because "barristers act like three year olds and they've to explain it to a Judge who may as well be a three year old" (or somesuch). Keep it simple.

    Edit, trying to remember, did my boss say "a Judge who'll have the comprehension of a three year old", eitherway, briefs are no places to be dazzling the world with you wit and wordplay.


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