Drafting legal documents to a high professional standard requires an exacting level of precision and care. Drafting equips the reader with the skills that will enable them to draft with absolute clarity and accuracy. The manual places particular emphasis upon statements of case, both because of their importance in civil litigation, and because they provide the best foundation for the learning process, but all other types of contentious drafting likely to be met in the early years of practice are also examined. Each chapter features numerous examples, and every example is followed by a detailed commentary explaining the draft. The exercises contained throughout the manual encourage the reader to put the drafting skills examined in the manual into practice offering the reader the perfect opportunity to practise and refine their own style of drafting. Drafting is essential reading for all trainee barristers, and is also a useful source of reference for junior practitioners wishing to refresh or refine their drafting skills.

1. The skill of drafting 2. The use of precedents 3. Drafting in plain English 4. Rules and principles relating to statements of case 5. Headings 6. Claim forms 7. Basic particulars of claim in tort and contract 8. Basic defences in tort and contract 9. Further particulars of claim 10. Further defences 11. Misrepresentation 12. Additional precedents for claims 13. Defence and counterclaim 14. Reply and defence to counterclaim 15. Additional claims 16. Amendment of statements of case 17. Request for further information 18. Further information 19. Interim injunctions 20. Written evidence 21. Judgments and orders 22. Claims for judicial review 23. Skeleton arguments 24. Indictments 25. Criminal grounds of appeal 26. Part 8 claims 27. Construction claims 28. Claims for breach of trust and the recovery of trust property 29. Checklist for Drafting Skills