How to create high-quality legal documents - 3 top tips

1. Customise templates to suit your business

Legal templates are pre-drafted, which means you don't have to spend time and money creating legal documents from scratch. Using templates can save a lot of time, but they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Customisation is key. Here’s how to make templates work for you:

1. Pick the right template - determine the specific type of legal document you need, whether it is an employment contract, non-disclosure agreement, services agreement or another legal document. Select a template from a trusted and reputable source, such as Docue.

2. Tailor to suit your business needs - adjust the standard clauses to reflect the specific practices and policies of your business. This might include altering terms of payment, delivery conditions or the services scope, for example.

3. Ensure your business is protected - ensure the template includes clauses that protect your business interests, such as indemnity, limitation of liability and termination clauses.

4. Add industry-specific details - if your business has unique requirements, add new clauses that address these needs. Ensure that the document adheres to industry standards and best practices, covering any additional legal requirements unique to your field.

By following these steps, you can transform a generic legal template into a customised, robust document that effectively meets your business needs and complies with legal requirements. Docue’s templates are fully customisable. With Docue, you simply click through the intelligent tick box options and text box answers and you’ll have a comprehensive, tailored and ready-to-use contract in no time.

2. Follow legal guidance

Following legal guidance can significantly enhance the process of drafting a customised document from a legal template. The best legal templates will contain information boxes and guidance to help you through the document creation process.

These guidelines act as a roadmap, highlighting crucial areas that require attention and customisation to fit your unique business needs. By carefully following the provided guidance, you can ensure that your document incorporates essential legal principles whilst also addressing specific circumstances relevant to your situation. This approach helps in tailoring clauses accurately, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all legal aspects. Ultimately, it leads to the creation of a robust, legally sound document that effectively protects your interests and aligns with current legal requirements.

Docue’s templates contain lawyer-drafted guidance notes that will guide you through the process, so you know which clauses to pick for different scenarios.

3. Focus on clarity and precision

The effectiveness of a legal document largely depends on how clearly and precisely it is written. Here are some tips to achieve that:

1. Be concise - avoid unnecessary words and lengthy paragraphs. Be straightforward and to the point. This makes the document easier to read and less likely to be misinterpreted.

2. Define terms clearly - any term that might be ambiguous should be clearly defined within the document. This helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures that all parties are on the same page.

3. Use consistent formatting - a well-structured document is easier to navigate. Use headings, subheadings, bullet points and numbering consistently. This not only enhances readability but also ensures that important information is not overlooked.

How can Docue help? Use our customisable templates!

Hand-crafted by lawyers: Docue’s legal templates are lawyer-made, lawyer-maintained, and have lawyer-crafted guidelines to steer you through every stage of drafting an agreement which is right for your business.

Easy to use: Docue allows your business to create, customise, sign, store, and manage your agreements all in one place. Simply click through the intelligent tick box options and text box answers and you’ll have a comprehensive, tailored, and ready-to-use agreement template in no time.

Full contract process: Once you have created a contract that is tailored to your business needs, you can send the contract to each of the parties for e-signing. After the contract is signed, you can store the agreement in Docue’s storage vault, Docue Drive, to ensure you always have quick and easy access to your contracts in one place. You can ensure you never miss a contract renewal again by enabling Docue’s handy reminders to notify yourself of the next upcoming deadline.