New Delhi: A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking for directions for the use of plain language in official communications to make them understandable to the common man.
The petition filed by Advocate Dr. Subhas Vijayran has pleaded to issue directions facilitating access to justice by the common man by use of plain language and by placing page limit on the pleadings and time limit on oral arguments.
The petition cites that the writing of most lawyers is wordy, unclear, pompous and dull.
"We use eight words to say what can be said in two. We use arcane phrases to express commonplace ideas. Seeking to be precise, we become redundant. Seeking to be cautious, we become verbose. Our writing is teemed with legal jargon & legalese. And the story goes on," the petition reads.
The petitioner urges to make all rules, regulations, notifications, communication etc., drafted and issued by all branches of the government in plain language.
It has asked to issue directives to the Bar Council of India to introduce a mandatory subject of "Legal Writing in Plain English" in the 3 year and 5 year LL.B. courses.
Union of India, Bar Council of India and Supreme Court of India are made respondents in the petition.