Advanced Legal Word Processing

Outcome 1 - use advanced word processing software features and audio equipment to produce business documents

Practical skills

The candidate will be able to:

1. log onto system
2. access word processing software
3. create new documents to a given house style eg:
   • letters
   • memos
   • notices
   • information sheets
   • agendas
   • formal and informal reports
4. recall and modify existing documents
   • create and amend headers and footers
   • page setup – orientation, margin length, line spacing and justification
   • insert manual and automatic page numbering
5. copy type from printed and manuscript text
6. use text editing functions through the use of the keyboard and/or mouse:
• insert
• delete
• cut
• copy
• move 
• paste
7. use text format as required through the application of font attributes:
   • bold
   • italics
   • underline
   • font size
   • font style
   • small capitals
   • centring
   • superscript
   • subscript
   • strikethrough
   • borders and shading
8. apply page borders
9. use automatic field codes to insert dates and references as appropriate
10. recall standard clauses and phrases
11. create and format tables
    • insert, delete and  adjust columns, rows and cells
    • merge and split cells
    • apply shading and borders
    • hide or highlight gridlines
    • align cell content ie left, right, centre, decimalisation, vertical and horizontal
    • sort and calculate data
12. select and insert symbols
    • currency
    • copyright ©
    • @
    • accents (language)
    • arithmetic
13. insert and delete page and format breaks eg so headers and footers are not automatically repeated
14. adjust paragraph styles through:
    • text alignment
    • bullets
    • line spacing
    • tabulation ie right, left, centre, decimal
    • indentation ie block, hanging
15. use search and replace functions as required
16. apply automatic or manual numbering to paragraphs to a maximum of three levels
17. follow written instructions and interpret amendment and correction signs
18. use spell checking, grammar and thesaurus facilities to maintain accuracy
19. identify and correct legal terminology
20. identify and expand general and legal abbreviations
21. correctly route originals/copies/printouts as required
22. transcribe documents using audio and/or digital equipment
23. follow, interpret and implement audio conventions and instructions
24. produce documents within specified time limits
25. select page orientation ie portrait and landscape
26. name, save and print documents.

Underpinning knowledge

The candidate will be able to:

1. identify short cut keys
2. identify and correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, presentation and consistency errors including legal terminology.

Outcome 2 - apply audio and word processing skills to produce legal documentation

Practical skills

The candidate will be able to:

1. identify and use appropriate layouts to create different legal documents eg:
   • backsheet
   • frontsheet
   • brief to counsel
   • statements
   • deeds (eg lease, change of name, deed of gift)
   • basic Wills including codicils
   • affidavit
   • estate accounts
   • particulars of claim
   • defence
   • file and attendance notes
   • lease and counterpart
   • bill of costs
2. recall and amend existing legal documents.
3. present attestation clauses and jurats appropriately.
4. correctly display concluding and signatory clauses.
5. name, save and print draft and final copies of legal documents.