Seven Steps To Clearer Judgment Writing The Honourable Justice Linda Dessau, Family Court of Australia
His Honour Judge Tom Wodak, County Court of Victoria
Judgment writing is a skill that can be learned, practised, improved and refined.
A well-structured judgment enhances clarity and conciseness, and helps ensure
that the reasoning process is complete. But how do judicial officers decide what
to include and how best to express it? In this essay the authors provide a useful
guide to judgment writing by breaking the task into seven distinct steps. These
seven steps provide a framework for the content and structure of clear and
transparent judgments.
Introduction
"Writing is easy. All you do is look at the blank page
until the drops of blood form on your forehead."
Red Smith
Judges must give reasons.
