38 B. Drafting principles (the exam list)

1. Plain language (Unit 4) with terms of art kept precise (Unit 3.6). 2. Shall/must = obligation; may = permission/protection; will = prediction — never mix (Unit 2.8). 3. One idea per clause; number everything; cross-references exact ("clause 4.2", never "the said clause"). 4. Defined-term discipline: define once, capitalise consistently, never define a term you use once. 5. No synonyms for the same thing; no pronouns across party names. 6. Amounts: words + figures ("NPR 5,00,000 (five hundred thousand rupees)"). 7. Close the loopholes you can see and the ones experience shows (what if payment is late? if goods are short-delivered? if a party becomes insolvent?). 8. Read the whole draft as a judge would, hunting ambiguity, conflict and gap — then fix clause numbers.