The author divided this book into 8 major sections, each of which may be used independently but is still interrelated with one another. Chapter 1 gives a brief introduction to legal writing and the legal system. Chapter 2 deals with legal documents concerning the litigation process. Chapter 3 introduces legal briefs. Chapter 4 is about legal memoranda. Chapter 5 talks about written communications. Chapter 6 discusses transaction documents with its stress on contracts. Chapter 7 analyses the legal research strategies. Chapter 8 explains commonly used citations.

本书是专门针对英语专业学生涉外司法工作的诉讼实践需要设计的一本英文司法文书写作教程。书中细致介绍了英美各种司法文书的写作特点，具有很强的实用性，是广大法律专业学生，尤其是法律英语专业学生学习法律的重要资料，也是涉外法律工作者必备的案头工具书。

Chapter 1 An Introduction to Legal Writing and the Legal System

 A.Writing, Legal Writing, and Legal Drafting

 B.Skills Required for Drafting

 C.Why Legal Writing Is the Way It Is

 D.Foundations of Legal Writing

 E.Sources of Law and Our System of Courts

 Exercises

Chapter 2 Litigation Process and Variety of Legal Documents

 A.Litigation Process

 B.Variety of Initial Legal Documents

 C.Responsive Pleadings: Responding to the Complaint

 D.Discovery: Discovering What Happened

 E.The Trial and Documents Issued by Court

 Exercises

Chapter 3 Legal Briefs

 A.Types of Briefs

 B.The Form and Content of a Brief

 C.Samples of a Brief and an Appellate Brief

 D.The Style of a Brief

 E.Rules for Effective Brief Writing

 Exercises

Chapter 4 Legal Memorandum

 A.Memorandum and Legal Memorandum

 B.Format of a Memo

 C.Editing Checklist: Memoranda

 D.Sample Memoranda

 Exercises

Chapter 5 Legal Correspondene

 A.Functions of Legal Correspondence

 B.Effective Letter Writing

 C.Guidelines for Effective Letter Writing

 D.The Format of Letters

 E.Examples of Legal Correspondence

 Exercises

Chapter 6 Transaction Documents

 A.Objectives of the Parties

 B.Functions of Transaction Documents

 C.Legal and Ethical Considerations

 D.The Details of the Transaction

 E.Practical Considerations

 F.Parts of a Contract

 G.Examples of Transaction Documents

 Exercises

Chapter 7 Legal Research Strategies

 A.Introduction

 B.Types of Research Materials

 C.Beginning Your Research

 D.Tailoring Your Research

 E.Doing Your Research

 F.Three Fundamental Legal Research Strategies

 Exercises

Chapter 8 Reading Legal Citations

 A.What Is a Citation?

 B.Typical Legal Citations Analyzed

 C.Some Common Legal Abbreviations

 D.The Importance of Legal Citation

 E.Computer Assisted Legal Research--Westlaw

 Exercises

Selected Bibliography

Answers to Exercises