By Chinua Asuzu
Judicial writing is “public writing of the highest order. Be credible, impartial, dignified, and temperate. Be accurate and honest in your research, facts, and analysis.” Judge Gerald Lebovits.
“I care not for the supposed dicta of judges, however eminent, if they be contrary to all principle.”Somerset v Steward (1772) 98 ER 499 (Mansfield CJ).
Judges should review their drafts to minimize, if not eliminate, all dicta neither pertinent to the outcome nor true to principle.
A judicial decision must not only be correct, but must also be fair, reasonable, and readily understandable.
Judicial Writing: A Benchmark for the Bench will help judges, arbitrators, and other decision-writers master the art and science of judicial writing.
A most welcome guide, this book sets a high but attainable standard of excellence for writing judicial decisions. It will no doubt become the reference point for judging judges and their judgments.
To get a copy, please pay N35,000 to Chinua Asuzu, 0002655807, GTBank. Then share your delivery address. The price includes delivery anywhere in Nigeria.
