Coursework – Checklist for Legal Essays

Issue Action

Essay structure 1. Introduction: provides the map for the reader and makes
clear how the argument will develop, e.g. by outlining the
main issues that will be addressed. Keep it short and
simple.
2. Main body: adopt a systematic/logical approach. Keep your
reader informed along the way. Each paragraph must link
with the ones before and after – otherwise each section will
appear out of context. For clarity, it helps to divide your
essay into sections with headings/sub-headings.
3. Conclusion: reminds the reader of what you have done, i.e.
outlines the main issues addressed and your arguments.
There should be no new material. Rather, explain your
position and what you think is significant. Again, keep it
short and simple.

 Logical and coherent development of arguments by building

each piece of information on the foregoing, thus achieving “flow”.

Editing Checklist  Title: full and correct title?

- Have you identified the correct question?
- In problem questions: have you identified the
persons affected correctly?
 Think!
- have I understood the question?
- what does it ask me to do?
- what do I need in terms of material?
 Introduction
 Main body:
- does it show that you have done your research
well?
- have you put each main point in a separate
paragraph?
- do these paragraphs logically link?
- have you provided appropriate evidence and
examples?
 Conclusion:
- does the conclusion relate to the question?
- does it summarise the main points?
- how long is it?
 References
- are all sources appropriately referenced?
- are the references accurate?
- are the references in the bibliography?
 Layout/Presentation
- neat?
- legible?
- enough space either side of text for comments?
-

Proof-reading  Appropriate? Check whether your sources are appropriate.

Especially in law, you have to be careful that the material
you use is valid and credible – something not all internet
resources are. Remember: check your sources; are they
trustworthy?
 Grammar: the construction of a simple sentence seems to
be a major problem but could easily be avoided by careful
proof reading
“With regards to Chrissie and Jane being legible to
reimburse themselves for the out of pocket expenses, that
they incurred from setting the company, there is no reason
why they may not be able to claim this money back from
the company, as directors however this would only mean
that they are claiming money from the profits that would
eventually one assumes pay their salaries, there is no
readily available legislation that can be accessed with
regards to this matter however, there is wide speculation at
the various form of reimbursement of out of pocket
expenses.”

 Use of apostrophes
- An apostrophe generally goes before the “s” if the
noun is singular (e.g. the dog’s dinner) and after
the “s” if the noun is plural (e.g. dogs’ dinner).
- Another common used is for contractions, e.g. It’s
(It is) nothing to do with me. Not to be confused
with “its”!

 Confusing singular and plural

- Nouns specify number, i.e. whether they are
singular (dog) or plural (dogs).
- Make sure the verb used fits the noun, e.g. the dog
swims – the dogs swim
- Using an apostrophe will not render a singular a
plural! Company’s ≠ companies.

 Common mistakes
- Its and it’s
- Their and there
- Principle and principal
- Criterion and criteria
- Advice and advise
- Stationary and stationery
- Cease and seize
- Recession and rescission
- Complacence and compliance
 Don’t always rely on the spellchecker.

 Punctuation: the use of commas (,), semicolons (;), colons

(:) and full stops (.) seems equally puzzling to some:
“As your legal advisor by law, it is not required for limited
companies to register AoA, in that case the model articles
created by the Secretary of State will apply, however if you
do wish to register articles they will prevail over the model
articles…”

- Semi-colons: Any two statements that are

separated by a semi-colon should (i) be able to
stand alone as separate sentences, and (ii) be
closely connected in terms of their subject matter.
Example: There are a number of different uses for
semi-colons; used in the right way, they can be
extremely versatile.
 - Commas are separators between parts of a
sentence. They “cordon off information that is an
aside, explanation or addition. Readers can, if they
wish, leapfrog the cordoned-off area and still
make sense of what is said.” (Cutts, 1995: 82)
[They “cordon off, information that is, an aside explanation or
addition. Readers, can if they wish, leapfrog the cordoned-off, area
and still make sense of what, is said.]
 Always proof-read your work! Make sure you allow yourself
enough time to do this effectively, i.e. leave a couple of days
between reading and submitting.

References/Sources  Poor reference techniques

- learn the appropriate technique for referencing in
law (OSCOLA)
- what is appropriate and what not? Reference to
lecture notes/slides is not appropriate

 Use of abbreviations

 Footnotes: Footnotes are meant to supplement the main

text and supply references, sources and possibly further
info, where deemed necessary. However, they are not
meant to replace information in the main text. Thus, it
should still be possible to read the main text without having
to refer to the footnotes.

Bibliography List all the sources that you have used, even if you only consulted
them.