5.7 Client Correspondence

Principles (the professional checklist): clarity (plain English — short sentences, no legalese for lay clients); accuracy (law and facts checked); completeness (the bad news too — advice the client needs, not wants); structure (purpose first, then facts, then analysis, then recommended action); tone (formal-courteous, never cold); and confidentiality marked (privileged & confidential).The letter types (learn the shapes):1. Engagement letter — scope of work, fees, conflicts disclosure — the contract of retainer;2. Advice letter — Issue → Facts → Law → Application → Advice (IRAC in prose — cross-ref Unit 1.1);3. Letter of demand — the facts, the liability basis, the demand, the deadline, the consequence ("failing which we shall be instructed to commence proceedings without further notice");4. Status/update letter — what happened, what it means, what next, what we need from you;5. Report letter (after matters conclude) — outcome, accounts, documents returned. Modelphrases (collect these): "We refer to your instructions of…" "We are instructed to…" "In the circumstances, we advise as follows" "Please note that this letter is subject to the limits of retainer…" "We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience." Email etiquette: subject lines that state the matter and date; one matter per mail; attachments named; nothing written you would not read aloud in court — the correspondence rule: every letter is potentially discoverable.