Pre-Listening Discussion Questions

• As a lawyer, have you ever advised clients never to sign a document they don’t understand?  Why?

• What should an everyday person do if they have to sign a document they don’t understand?

• What are some common examples of documents that everyday people find hard to understand?

• Why do legal documents and legislation use complicated language that make them difficult to understand?

First Listening. General Understanding. Write notes to answer these questions.

1. What does Alan Siegel think is the main problem with the modern law, regulations and financial documentation?

2. Summarise Alan Siegel’s attitude to on using plain English?

Second Listening  -  Details. Write notes to answer these questions.

1. How does Alan Siegel define simplicity?

2. What are some examples that Alan Siegel gives for why simplicity is necessary? 

3. What are three examples Alan Siegel gives of successfully simplifying complex legal documents?

4. What benefits are given for using plain English in consumer credit loan documents?

5. What does Alan Siegel say people can do to help achieve the goal of the plain English movement?