Distance writing
The main service I offer is teaching lawyers on a one-to-one basis.

Students usually want to work on speaking and listening. This is fine. However, sometimes a student (“S”) wants to work on his or her writing.

When this is the case, I will ask the S to let me have examples of writing he has produced in the course of his work. (I undertake to keep the contents confidential).

I review this and comment on it to the S. I do this by way of mark-up showing suggested deletions and improvements and by way of discussion. (Often I will need to explore with the S what he is trying to say and this of course has the added benefit of giving practice at discussing documents and explaining positions taken).

This is the best way of helping a S with his writing.

However, for various reasons, it is sometimes not possible for the S and me to spend time together in the same room either in London or the S's home city.

I have therefore started a “Distance Writing” course which I offer by telephone and email.

There are no firm rules as the service is still at an early stage. (Indeed, there never will be firm rules as I pride myself on being flexible in meeting students' needs).

However, let me give you an example of how the service can work.

X is a lawyer who is highly regarded by her employer (a major law firm) but there is some criticism of her legal writing. We have done the following:

• Exchanged emails by way of introduction and to allow X to describe her problems with writing and what she wants to achieve.
• She has sent me examples of her writing which I have reviewed.
• I have commented both on her writing generally and on some of the writing she has sent me.

If you are interested in this course, I will be pleased

a) to send you copies of the comments I have given to other students, and / or

b) by way of free sample, to review and comment on legal writing by you or one of your colleagues.

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