Because of the difficulties in understanding legal contract language, several states now require
contracts to be written in "plain English ."This article discusses the legal effects of such laws
and the guidance they provide to business writers . The availability of adequate sanctions to
ensure enforceability is discussed. The article describes the plain English principles required
to comply with both highly specific and general versions of a PEL. Finally, the author argues
that PEL's are a valuable tool in promoting understandable business contracts.
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References
1.
New York GEN. OBLIG. Law sec. 5-702.
2.
Paul R.Timm and Daniel Oswald, "Plain English Laws: Symbolic or Real?" The Journal of Business Communication, Vol. 22, No. 2 (Spring 1985), pp. 31-38.
3.
Timm and Oswald, p. 35.
4.
Timm and Oswald, p. 35.
5.
Timm and Oswald, p. 35.
6.
Timm and Oswald, p. 34.
7.
Timm and Oswald, p. 35.
8.
New York GEN. OBLIG. Law sec. 5-702.
9.
For a more extensive discussion of contract damages, see John D. Calamari and Joseph M. Perillo, Contracts (St. Paul, MN: West Publishing Co., 1977), pp. 516-569.
Weaver v . American Oil Co., 422 N.Y.S.2d 275 (1971).
20.
Uniform Commercial Code sec. 2-302.
21.
Halprin v. 2 Fifth Ave. Co., 422 N.Y.S.2d 275 (1979).
22.
Williams v. Walker-Thomas Furn. Co., 320 F.2d 445 (1965).
23.
Wille v. Southwestern Bell Tel. Co., 549 P.2d 903 (1976).
24.
Bank of I ndiana, Nat . Assn . v . Holyfield, 476 F. Supp. 104 (Miss. D.C.) 1979.
25.
Jutta's Inc. v. Fireco Equipment Co., 375 A. 2d 687.
26.
Architectural Cabinets Inc. v. Gaster, 291 A.2d 298 (1971).
27.
Architectural Cabinets Inc. v. Gaster, 291 A.2d 298 (1971).
28.
Seabrook v. Commuter Housing Co., 338 N.Y.S.2d 67 (1972).
29.
Weaver v. American Oil Co., 276 N.E.2d 275 (1979).
30.
Uniform Commercial Code, sec. 1-203.
31.
May Marine Supply Co. v. Brunswick Corp., 557 F.2d 1163 (1977).
32.
Stewart S. Karlinsky and Bruce S. Koch, "Readability is in the Mind of the Reader ," The Journal of Business Communication, Vol. 20, No. 4 (Fall 1983 ), pp. 57-69.
