26 B. Practical rules for legal documents

1. Short sentences: 20–25 words average; one idea each. A 90-word sentence with three provisos is a litigation risk, not a display of skill.2. Front-load: subject–verb–object near the front; conditions before consequences; the conclusion of a paragraph in its first sentence.3. Parallel structure: lists and parallel provisions must be grammatically parallel ("The tenant must (a) pay rent, (b) maintain the premises, and (c) return possession on expiry").4. Signposting: numbering (1.1, 1.2…), headings, and connectors (2.4) show the reader the tone-unit map.5. Test by reading aloud: where you breathe, put a full stop; where you stumble, rewrite.Worked example• Before (one 55-word sentence, four ideas): "The seller, who shall hereinafter be referred to as the Vendor, shall, notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere in this Agreement, deliver, at his own cost, within thirty days of the receipt of the full consideration as aforesaid, all documents of title, provided that the purchaser has, prior thereto, made payment in full."• After (tone-unit discipline): "The seller must deliver all title documents within thirtydays of receiving the full price. The seller bears the cost of delivery. This dutyapplies despite any other clause in this Agreement."