| dc.description.abstract | The evolution of legislative drafting has witnessed a transformative paradigm shift, notably through the integration of plain language principles. This abstract provides a comprehensive exploration of the emergence and implications of plain language in the context of legislative drafting. Plain language in legislative drafting represents a conscious departure from traditional legalistic terminology, endeavouring to enhance the accessibility and comprehensibility of laws and regulations. The primary objective is on achieving clarity, simplicity, and transparency in the language utilized within legal texts. This departure stems from the realization that intricate legal verbiage can impede the understanding of laws for the very individuals they are designed to inform.
This paper expatiated on the drafting standards using Turnbull Four-Fold Strategy. The study assesses the drafting based on clarity, precision, consistency, and coherence. This research adopted a doctrinal approach using textbooks on legislative drafting and other scholarly published articles, Newspapers and other online media, amongst others. The research identified the challenges impeding application of plain language in Legislative Drafting.
Findings from the study showed that the heavy reliance on precedents constitutes a major setback to plain language drafting in Nigeria. Most of the precedents being adopted are manifestly defective in themselves, thereby giving rise to a situation of continued complex drafting standards
This research concluded by recommending the adoption of plain language as it mitigates the risk of misinterpretation and legal disputes, consequently contributing to a more equitable and just legal framework. | en_US |
