Plain english Quote by Charles M. Fox
““The notion that commercial contracts should be written in plain English so as to be understood by people who would never be expected to read them is an unreasonable extension of the plain English movement, which is aimed at helping consumers and other unsophisticated parties.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Limits of Plain English, Legal Writing Review, 2010
Plain English should aid consumers, but demanding it for all contracts overreaches and can oversimplify complex legal terms.
In simple terms: Plain English is for consumers, not all contracts.
Use plain language where appropriate.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- consumer contracts
- terms of service
- legal notices
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When is plain language insufficient?
- How to balance clarity with legal precision?
Over‑simplification may obscure essential legal nuances.