The Lawyer Lecture Series Committee, KIIT School of Law conducted an online guest lecture on the topic “Art of Legal Drafting” on 23 rd of September 2024 under the Convenorship of Dr. Sarvesh Kumar Shahi. Ms. Aratrika Das, a 3 rd semester student, hosted the guest lecture. Mr. Amlan Chokroborty, co-convenor of Lawyer Lecture Series Committee, greeted both the attendees and the visitors. The Guest Speaker of the event was Advocate Akshat Srivastava (Advocate on Record, Supreme Court of India). Mr. Srivastava starts the lecture by using a legal maxim “verba volant, scripta manent” meaning words fly away, written ones remain. Mr. Srivastava discussed historical petitions from the British era and their relevance in contemporary legal drafting, underscoring the necessity for a solid command of English. A well-crafted draft serves as the first impression to a judge and must clearly convey facts and the client's grievances. Key principles of effective legal drafting were outlined, including keeping the audience in mind, using simple language, and maintaining chronological order in presenting facts. Finally, the speaker highlighted that after drafting, it is crucial to edit and proofread thoroughly to eliminate errors and improve professionalism. The mantra that "practice makes perfect" resonated throughout the session, encouraging students to continuously refine their drafting skills. Notably, students were advised to practice diligently to enhance their drafting skills, referencing essential texts such as "Elements of Legal Style" by Bryan A. Garner and "The Art of Legal Drafting" by Richa Kacha. A vote of thanks was delivered by Amlan Sir, wrapping up an insightful discussion on this vital legal skill. The rapporteur of the event was Mr. Punit Bhura.
