Clicklaw Wikibooks Style Guide - Revision history

Nate Russell: /* Times */

2019-06-25T17:19:18Z

Times

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:19, 25 June 2019
Line 201:		Line 201:
	* If the time reference is within a table, chart, or graphic or ancillary annotation where condensed formatting is desired and the time is an even hour, omitting the null minute figures is acceptable: 4pm, 9am–5pm, 12–1pm.		* If the time reference is within a table, chart, or graphic or ancillary annotation where condensed formatting is desired and the time is an even hour, omitting the null minute figures is acceptable: 4pm, 9am–5pm, 12–1pm.
	* Use figures (12:45pm) rather than words (twelve forty-five p.m.).		* Use figures (12:45pm) rather than words (twelve forty-five p.m.).
	* ~~Do not use~~ "o'clock", "noon", or "midnight", to reference specific times.		* Phrases such as "o'clock", "noon", or "midnight", should not be used to reference specific times, however they may be used descriptively if it fits the tone: e.g., "A judge won't stay up past midnight to read your 70 page affidavit."
	* To express a range of time, use an en dash (–) with no space: 12:00pm–4:30pm.		* To express a range of time, use an en dash (–) with no space: 12:00pm–4:30pm.

Nate Russell: /* Dates */

2019-06-25T17:14:24Z

Dates

@@ Line 193: / Line 193: @@
 * In the vast majority of circumstances, write out the full name of the month.
 * If the date reference is within a table, chart or graphic or ancillary annotation where condensed formatting is desired, the three letter abbreviation for months is acceptable: 10 Feb 2013.
 == Punctuation ==

Nate Russell: /* Word usage */

2019-04-30T23:43:37Z

Word usage

@@ Line 245: / Line 245: @@
 ===That and which===
 Use ''that'' (not ''which'') to introduce a restrictive relative clause (a clause that is essential to the grammar of the sentence).
 ===Preferred usage for words===

Nate Russell: /* Legal terms and forms */

2019-03-08T19:22:35Z

Legal terms and forms

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:22, 8 March 2019
Line 30:		Line 30:
	* Do not use capital letters for legal terms — e.g., "a retainer agreement is a contract between a lawyer and you"; "a will appoints an executor".		* Do not use capital letters for legal terms — e.g., "a retainer agreement is a contract between a lawyer and you"; "a will appoints an executor".
	* Do not use capital letters for party names — e.g., "after the claimant files a claim, the respondent has 14 days to reply".		* Do not use capital letters for party names — e.g., "after the claimant files a claim, the respondent has 14 days to reply".
	* Use capital letters for the names of prescribed court forms — e.g., "the claimant must file a Notice of Family Claim" — but do not use capital letters for general legal forms — e.g., "a power of attorney enables you to appoint someone to look after your financial affairs".		* Use capital letters for the names of prescribed court forms — e.g., "the claimant must file a Notice of Family Claim" — but do not use capital letters for general legal forms — e.g., "a power of attorney enables you to appoint someone to look after your financial affairs", or "a parenting coordinator agreement sets out in some detail what the parenting coordinator will do".

	===Do not use capitals for emphasis===		===Do not use capitals for emphasis===

Nate Russell: /* Case law */

2018-06-13T18:55:31Z

Case law

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:55, 13 June 2018
Line 113:		Line 113:

	=== Case law ===		=== Case law ===
	When citing a case, use the citation standards in the Canadian Guide to ''Uniform Legal Citation'' (7th Edition), known as the ''McGill Guide''. Names or initials of the parties in the style of cause should be italicized, along with ''v.'', ''Re'', ''(ad litem)'', or any other part of the case name. Do not use bold. If the parties are named by initials, use punctuation between the letters. Cite Canadian cases to their neutral citation, and ensure that the link you provide is the short URL resource link provided by CanLII wherever possible. Where no neutral citation is available, use the citation that CanLII provides, and ensure that the parties in the style of cause are as indexed by CanLII. Where a case is not available on CanLII, cite to a printed reporter or electronic service.		When citing a case, use the citation standards in the Canadian Guide to ''Uniform Legal Citation'' (7th Edition), known as the ''McGill Guide''. Names or initials of the parties in the style of cause should be italicized, along with ''v.'', ''Re'', ''(ad litem)'', or any other part of the case name/style of cause. Do not use bold. If the parties are named by initials, use punctuation between the letters. Cite Canadian cases to their neutral citation, and ensure that the link you provide is the short URL resource link provided by CanLII wherever possible. Where no neutral citation is available, use the citation that CanLII provides, and ensure that the parties in the style of cause are as indexed by CanLII. Where a case is not available on CanLII, cite to a printed reporter or electronic service.
	Examples of acceptable citations:		Examples of acceptable citations:
	:Case with neutral citation, available on CanLII: ''[http://canlii.ca/t/2d35m Domirti v. Domirti]'', 2010 BCCA 472		:Case with neutral citation, available on CanLII: ''[http://canlii.ca/t/2d35m Domirti v. Domirti]'', 2010 BCCA 472
			:Case with neutral citation, available on CanLII, parties identified by initials: ''[http://canlii.ca/t/52lj L.S. v. E.P.]'', 1999 BCCA 393
	:Case with no neutral citation, available on CanLII: ''[http://canlii.ca/t/23fjd Wahl v. Pavle]'', 1985 CanLII 861 (BCCA)		:Case with no neutral citation, available on CanLII: ''[http://canlii.ca/t/23fjd Wahl v. Pavle]'', 1985 CanLII 861 (BCCA)
	:Case with no neutral citation, not on CanLII: ''Mareva Compania Naviera S.A. v. International Bulkcarriers S.A.'', [1980] 1 All E.R. 213		:Case with no neutral citation, not on CanLII: ''Mareva Compania Naviera S.A. v. International Bulkcarriers S.A.'', [1980] 1 All E.R. 213

Nate Russell: /* Case law */

2018-06-13T18:34:49Z

Case law

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:34, 13 June 2018
Line 113:		Line 113:

	=== Case law ===		=== Case law ===
	When citing a case, use the citation standards in the Canadian Guide to ''Uniform Legal Citation'' (7th Edition), known as the ''McGill Guide''. Names or initials of the parties in the style of cause should be italicized, along with ''v.'', ''Re'', ''(ad litem)'', or any other part of the case name. Do not use bold. Cite Canadian cases to their neutral citation, and ensure that the link you provide is the short URL resource link provided by CanLII wherever possible. Where no neutral citation is available, use the citation that CanLII provides, and ensure that the parties in the style of cause are as indexed by CanLII. Where a case is not available on CanLII, cite to a printed reporter or electronic service.		When citing a case, use the citation standards in the Canadian Guide to ''Uniform Legal Citation'' (7th Edition), known as the ''McGill Guide''. Names or initials of the parties in the style of cause should be italicized, along with ''v.'', ''Re'', ''(ad litem)'', or any other part of the case name. Do not use bold. If the parties are named by initials, use punctuation between the letters. Cite Canadian cases to their neutral citation, and ensure that the link you provide is the short URL resource link provided by CanLII wherever possible. Where no neutral citation is available, use the citation that CanLII provides, and ensure that the parties in the style of cause are as indexed by CanLII. Where a case is not available on CanLII, cite to a printed reporter or electronic service.
	Examples of acceptable citations:		Examples of acceptable citations:
	:Case with neutral citation, available on CanLII: ''[http://canlii.ca/t/2d35m Domirti v. Domirti]'', 2010 BCCA 472		:Case with neutral citation, available on CanLII: ''[http://canlii.ca/t/2d35m Domirti v. Domirti]'', 2010 BCCA 472

Desy Wahyuni: /* Block formatting legislation and contracts */

2018-01-18T18:32:21Z

Block formatting legislation and contracts

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:32, 18 January 2018
Line 148:		Line 148:
	==== Block formatting legislation and contracts ====		==== Block formatting legislation and contracts ====

	Clicklaw ~~Wiikibooks~~ uses blockquote tags {{tag\|blockquote}} (including multiple indentation levels where applicable), and a monospace font (<code><tt></tt></code>) if the excerpt is taken from an act, regulation, contractual agreement or court order (as distinct from reasons for judgment). Doing this distinguishes the codified language and hierarchical structure of these sources compared to the more narrative and natural language flow of other types of content.		Clicklaw Wikibooks uses blockquote tags {{tag\|blockquote}} (including multiple indentation levels where applicable), and a monospace font (<code><tt></tt></code>) if the excerpt is taken from an act, regulation, contractual agreement or court order (as distinct from reasons for judgment). Doing this distinguishes the codified language and hierarchical structure of these sources compared to the more narrative and natural language flow of other types of content.

	A block formatted excerpt in a monospace font looks like this:		A block formatted excerpt in a monospace font looks like this:

Desy Wahyuni: /* Direct quotations and excerpts */

2018-01-18T18:30:50Z

Direct quotations and excerpts

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:30, 18 January 2018
Line 132:		Line 132:

	== Direct quotations and excerpts ==		== Direct quotations and excerpts ==
	Think twice about adding paragraphs from reasons for judgment. Pause before pasting in dense legislative text. It may be more helpful to spare the ''legalese'' if your readers are still seeking to understand basic legal principles. Cite and link the original law or case on CanLii for deeper study, but consider if you can convey the pith and substance of the law, without the need to regurgitate it chapter and verse.		Think twice about adding paragraphs from reasons for judgment. Pause before pasting in dense legislative text. It may be more helpful to spare the ''legalese'' if your readers are still seeking to understand basic legal principles. Cite and link the original law or case on CanLii for deeper study, but consider if you can convey the pith and substance of the law, without the need to regurgitate its chapter and verse.

	This said, in some cases it's critical to show readers the exact, verbatim wording from a piece of legislation, court decision, or other source.		This said, in some cases it's critical to show readers the exact, verbatim wording from a piece of legislation, court decision, or other source.

Nate Russell at 19:16, 11 October 2017

2017-10-11T19:16:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:16, 11 October 2017
Line 230:		Line 230:
	[http://www.hemingwayapp.com Hemingway App] is a free online tool that analyzes your writing's readability and identifies possible problems. It can suggest improvements and help with plain language. The Hemingway App shows you a graded score (e.g. Grade 9), and highlights what's hard to read, what words could be simpler, etc. Just paste in your writing the and Hemingway App instantly provides suggestions and tips for improving readability. You can even edit your writing right there and then to see if you can improve it and bring the reading level down. A grade 9 reading level is ideal.		[http://www.hemingwayapp.com Hemingway App] is a free online tool that analyzes your writing's readability and identifies possible problems. It can suggest improvements and help with plain language. The Hemingway App shows you a graded score (e.g. Grade 9), and highlights what's hard to read, what words could be simpler, etc. Just paste in your writing the and Hemingway App instantly provides suggestions and tips for improving readability. You can even edit your writing right there and then to see if you can improve it and bring the reading level down. A grade 9 reading level is ideal.

	~~It looks like this:~~		[[File:Hemingway App Screenshot.png\| thumb \| link=http://www.hemingwayapp.com\| Screenshot from www.hemingwayapp.com]]

	[[File:Hemingway App Screenshot.png\| thumb \| link=http://www.hemingwayapp.com\| www.hemingwayapp.com]]

	====More on plain language writing====		====More on plain language writing====

Nate Russell: /* Try an app to help you edit */

2017-10-11T19:15:45Z

Try an app to help you edit

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:15, 11 October 2017
Line 232:		Line 232:
	It looks like this:		It looks like this:

	[[File:Hemingway App Screenshot.png\| thumb ~~\| left~~ \| link=http://www.hemingwayapp.com\| www.hemingwayapp.com]]		[[File:Hemingway App Screenshot.png\| thumb \| link=http://www.hemingwayapp.com\| www.hemingwayapp.com]]
	~~<br />~~

	====More on plain language writing====		====More on plain language writing====