Legal Definitions - Clarity

Clarity is an international organization comprised of lawyers and other professionals who are dedicated to promoting the use of plain language in legal and official documents. Its core mission is to make laws, contracts, government forms, and other important texts easier for everyone to understand by advocating for the removal of unnecessary jargon, complex sentence structures, and overly technical language.

Here are some examples illustrating the work and principles championed by an organization like Clarity:

• Government Forms: Imagine a new tax form released by a national revenue agency. The initial draft is filled with highly technical tax law terms, convoluted sentences, and cross-references to obscure legal codes, making it incredibly difficult for the average citizen to complete without hiring a professional accountant or lawyer. An organization like Clarity would review this form and advocate for its revision, suggesting simpler language, clear instructions, and a user-friendly layout. For instance, they might recommend replacing phrases like "adjudication of pecuniary liabilities" with "assessment of financial obligations" or providing straightforward examples of how to calculate certain deductions, ensuring that more people can accurately file their taxes independently.

• Consumer Contracts: Consider a mobile phone service agreement that is several dozen pages long, printed in tiny font, and contains numerous clauses written in dense legalistic prose about data usage, roaming charges, and early termination fees. Most consumers sign these agreements without fully understanding their rights or obligations due to the complexity of the language. Clarity's principles would encourage the telecommunications company to rewrite the contract using plain language. This could involve creating a concise summary of key terms, explaining complex concepts like "pro-rata billing" or "force majeure" in simple terms, and using clear headings and bullet points to make the document more accessible, thereby empowering consumers to make informed choices about their service.

• Public Health Directives: During a public health emergency, a government agency issues new regulations concerning quarantines, testing protocols, and access to public spaces. The initial official announcement uses highly specialized medical and legal terminology, leading to widespread confusion among the public about what actions they are legally required or recommended to take. An organization like Clarity would emphasize the critical need to translate these directives into accessible language. They would advocate for clear, concise instructions that avoid jargon, use active voice, and provide practical, real-world examples, ensuring that all citizens can easily understand and comply with essential health and safety rules, which is vital for effective public response.