Writing Effective Legal Documents and Commercial Contracts
A Practical Workshop
5-Day Training Course
Course Overview
Those who deliver written legal advice or draft contract documentation are sometimes criticized for being verbose, obscure, or unhelpful. The criticism can apply whether the person is an external adviser or in-house counsel working alongside the company management team. But, if the job is done effectively, the Lawyers / Advisers can add real commercial value with the written work.
Well drafted legal documents – whether they comprise advice, correspondence, contracts or other written materials – lead to more successful outcomes: better performing contractors, more satisfied internal and external customers, reduced risks and smaller liabilities.
This Writing Effective Legal Documents and Commercial Contracts training course will help to develop the skills of in-house and external Lawyers / Advisers, turning them into highly effective written communicators and legal draftsmen. It will highlight why effective English legal writing is important and teach participants how to write well-structured and useful advisory and contractual documents.
This Energy Training Centre training course will include:
- How to make your legal writing effective
- How to use appropriate legal language
- Tips to follow and traps to avoid in legal writing
- How to structure your legal memorandum in the most effective way
- How to adjust your writing style to adapt to the reader audience
- How to use appropriate language in a contract
- What to look for to identify and avoid typical risks in contract clauses
- When to consider using standard templates and model form contracts
- How to draft concisely and without ambiguity
- How to structure the contract to create a logical flow
- Using checklists to identify gaps in the contract document
- How to work with the draft contracts supplied by the opposing party
Course Objectives
By the end of this Writing Effective Legal Documents and Commercial Contracts training course you will be able to:
- Better understand the needs of their internal and external clients
- Create more effective legal documents in English
- Structure their documents using best writing practices
- Select appropriate English language for the legal tasks they face
- Improve the clarity and usefulness of their legal writing
- Structure a standard commercial contract
- Identify the key terms and conditions that they should include in a contract
- Use model contracts and templates as a basis for their own work
- Draft appropriate terms and conditions for a range of commercial activities
- Identify unacceptably risky terms and conditions in the proposed contracts of partners, contractors, vendors or other parties
- Propose alternative draft wording to protect their client’s commercial interests, when negotiating with others
Training Methodology
The facilitator will deploy a full range of lively and interactive training methods, including exercises, case studies, drafting sessions and group discussions.
Each topic will be underpinned by a presentation that highlights key issues to focus on. The learning experience will be supported by a reference manual containing templates and examples of best practice. Participants will draft documents, make presentations and receive personal feedback on their work.
Model legal documents will be reviewed and analysed. Alternative approaches will be considered. Real examples will be discussed.
Who Should Attend
This Writing Effective Legal Documents and Commercial Contracts training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will especially benefit:
- Corporate and Commercial In-House or External Lawyers / Advisers, especially those involved in:
- Providing legal advice to corporate functions, including to top management or the board about the meaning of terms and conditions in contracts and other documents
- Drafting instructions to or seeking advice from outside counsel or other legal experts
- Preparing, drafting and negotiating terms and conditions in supplier contracts, joint venture agreements, production licences, drilling permits and other legal commercial documents
- Commercial Contracts Professionals who assist the procurement teams in purchasing activities
- Members of the procurement team who manage supplier contracts and have to apply the terms of commercial agreements
- Any other staff member who assists or is involved in preparing legal documentation
Course Curriculum
- Introduction, objectives, and scope of the workshop
- What is effective legal writing?
- Techniques to write clearly
- Structuring your legal analysis
- Choosing appropriate legal language while avoiding ‘legalese’
- Effective editing of a legal document
- Applying the principles to letters, emails and general correspondence
- Drafting exercises
- Choosing an appropriate heading
- Describing the background and purpose of the memorandum
- Framing the legal issues
- Providing the short answer
- Statement of the facts
- Analysis of the issues and how the law applies
- Conclusions and recommendations in the memorandum
- Drafting Exercises
- Why contract drafting skills are important
- Complying with contract law essentials
- Using appropriate contract language
- Contract methodologies, including
- Bespoke written agreements
- Using general and special terms and conditions
- Using Purchase Orders with standard terms and conditions
- Framework agreements
- Deeds
- Letters of intent, Heads of terms and MoUs
- Working with model contracts and templates
- Drafting exercises
- Reflecting the purpose of the transaction
- Analysing and mapping out the contractual transaction process
- Structuring the contract draft
- Contents of the front and back of the contract
- Title
- Parties
- Recitals
- Dates
- Definitions
- Signatures
- Attachments, Exhibits and Schedules
- Using Boilerplate clauses, such as
- Governing law clause
- Dispute resolution process
- Contract variation mechanism
- Confidentiality obligations
- Assignment and sub-contracting
- Force Majeure
- Notices and communication clause
- Drafting exercises
- Working with the other parties to the contract
- Analysing their contract clauses for hidden risks
- Negotiating the liability clauses
- Who bears the risk?
- Exclusion and limitation of liability
- Indemnity and insurance clauses
- Bonds and Guarantees
- Liquidated damages clauses and penalties
- Using clauses that impose obligations or grant powers or permissions, such as
- Inspection
- Default
- Termination
- Using the concept of “reasonableness”
- Payment and other financial terms
- Drafting exercises
Certificates Awarded
Certificate of Completion
After successfully completing this training course, participants will be awarded The Energy Training Centre Certificate of Completion — a respected validation of their dedication to continuous learning and professional excellence. This certificate signifies that participants have gained the essential knowledge and skills required to make a measurable impact in their field.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Our training courses are conducted at partnered hotels located within the specified training areas. Please note that venue assignments may vary based on availability. For the most current information, do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
Yes, we do. We provide tailored training courses designed to meet the specific requirement of larger group of individuals. These customized training courses can be conducted both classroom and online formats, allowing you the flexibility to choose you preferred dates and duration.
Please contact us at [email protected] to discuss your group’s training needs, and we’ll work with you to create a personalized training course that aligns with your objectives.
Upon successful completion of the training course, you will receive The Energy Training Centre Certificate of Completion with corresponding learning hours.
Yes, special discounts are available upon request if you have more than one registrant for a course. For further information please email us at [email protected]
We offer two convenient payment options:
- Bank Transfer – You can make payment via bank transfer. Once your registration is confirmed, you will receive an invoice with the banking details for the transfer. We would require you to supply a swift copy for us to confirm receipt of funds.
- Payment Link – Alternatively, we provide a secure payment link that you can use to complete your payment after your registration has been confirmed.
Upon receiving your registration details, either via email at [email protected] or through our online registration form, we will send you the following by email within 24-48 hours of registration.
- Joining Instructions
- Invoice/receipt (where appropriate)
There are two convenient options to register for a training course:
- Online Registration Form – Register for your desired training course by completing the online registration form available on our website. Simple click on the registration button or select your preferred dates and provide the requested information.
- Email Registration – You can email us your intention to register at [email protected]. Our team will guide you through the registration process and provide assistance you may need.
We understand that time zones may be different between our Senior Consultants and our delegates. Our standard online course timings (11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, GMT+4 – Dubai, UAE) may be adjusted upon confirming the programme. Our team shall communicate between the confirmed registered delegates and suggest a suitable course timing for all.
Our standard course duration for our classroom programmes is 6 hours per day while our online session is 5 hours per day.
Our training courses span across diverse industries, encompassing sectors such as but not limited to:
- Power & Utilities
- Oil & Gas
- Financial Institutions
- Government and Regulatory bodies
- Manufacturing & Production Industry
Our commitment lies in continuously refining and expanding our training course offerings to align with evolving industry landscapes. We encourage individuals to explore our website or engage with our dedicated support team for the latest information on available courses, ensuring access to the most pertinent and current educational resources.
Yes, The Energy Training Centre is certified and recognized by several prominent industry standards. Specifically, it holds certifications from ILM, Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and the Project Management Institute (PMI).
- ILM (ID# 002398B) – This certification indicates that our training programmes meet high standards for leadership and management development, ensuring that they are designed to enhance participants’ skills in these critical areas.
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD) – Our recognition by CPD reflects our commitment to providing educational opportunities that support ongoing professional growth and skill enhancement. This accreditation ensures that our training courses are relevant and effective for professionals seeking to advance their careers.
- Project Management Institute (PMI) – Being recognized by PMI signifies that our training programmes align with industry best practices in project management. This certification assures participants that our offerings are in line with the standards required for effective project management and are valuable for those pursuing or maintaining PMI credentials.
These certifications underscore our dedication to providing high-quality, industry-relevant training that fosters professional growth and meets established standards. Additionally, we are actively pursuing further certifications and affiliations to enhance our offerings and ensure we remain at the forefront of industry best practices.
About Energy Training Centre
Energy Training Centre is a leading provider of professional development programs for the energy and public sectors. With over 15 years of experience, we have trained more than 50,000 professionals across the Middle East and beyond.
Our expert-led courses are designed to meet the evolving needs of modern organizations, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications that deliver immediate value to your career and organization.
50K+
Professionals Trained
15+
Years of Experience
Our Collaborations
We partner with leading institutions to deliver world-class training programs
What Our Delegates Say
Real feedback from professionals who completed this course
The class was interactive and rich of information and knowledge.
Thank you to The Energy Training Centre. It was great, and thank you to trainer for his support and the great information that he provided us.
Excellent trainer! The sessions were engaging, practical, and well-delivered. I truly appreciated the trainer’s knowledge, communication style, and enthusiasm throughout the training course.
A great training course, full of information that meets my needs, and the instructor delivered it in an excellent way.
A very informative training course. I will encourage my colleagues to register for the same course to explore and share their experiences. Many thanks to our instructor for his patience and continuous support.
The training course is worthwhile. The knowledge gained will be put to use back home. Kudos!
Very informative sessions and knowledgeable instructor.
The training is well equipped with all the necessary knowledge required, and the instructor is very knowledgeable to deliver it efficiently. I hope to get the best out of the training.
Nice response to workload and good services, with staff orientation and a friendly approach to guests.
We had a lot of case studies and problem-solving scenarios that led to in-depth conversations and discussions. I loved today’s session.
Thank you for a great course. It was a good opportunity to increase my knowledge.
Our instructor was very knowledgeable and passionate about the topic. She kept us very engaged.
The instructor has an amazing way of delivering the topic to those without a specialist background.
This training course gave me a more and bigger perspective about design thinking how to implement it and improve my personal and professional life. It is a privilege to be taught by our Senior Consultant.
This was the best instructor I have met in these (Oil & Gas) trainings.
Amazing sessions with the Senior Consultant. Truly insightful and a week well spent getting new knowledge.
The presentation and delivery was excellently done. I was able to understand the basics of trading beyond my expectation. This is solely due to the good teaching method of the Senior Consultant.
The Senior Consultant did an excellent job in presenting the material and bringing real life case studies and examples during the classroom discussion.
This was a beneficial training course, and I was glad to receive a lot of valuable information.
This was really an amazing training course and I learned everything to enhance our system.
The Energy Training Centre Senior Consultant has excellent knowledge of the subject area. His teaching methods made the concept of ORM easy to understand and follow. Overall, excellent training course.
This training course had a very good introduction into operational risk management.
I enjoyed this training course with the guidance of The Energy Training Centre Senior Consultant. He has excellent skills in delivering and presenting the training course and very knowledgeable about the subject. He supports by answering any questions and links it to practice. Additionally, he provides examples to explain and clarify as well as simplify the subject. I would really recommend attending this training course.
The Power System Protection training course was very informative and the facilitator has a great wealth of experience in this area which made the explanations very easy to understand. He runs through the basics and breaks down the complex parts of the power protection systems. It was a rewarding engagement signing up for this training course.
Great and very rich training course content. The instructor was very professional and has great experience in pipeline.
The training course has provided very good illustrations for the topics discussed. The sessions were filled with energy and exciting lectures. I now have a better understanding of contacts through educational sessions, especially in our breakout sessions on contract negotiations. Overall, this has been one of my best training courses so far. Well done!
The Energy Training Centre's senior consultant has rich experience about the Oil & Gas industry which helped us. Sessions were very useful. Thanks a lot for for sharing valuable information.
The refining operations sessions were highly practical and relevant to the Nigerian context. They were very thought-provoking, highlighting what is needed to make petrochemical plants successful in Nigeria and deliver greater value.
The training course is well taught and structured. The knowledge, exposure and solutions are insightful in advising and helping the company and country to diversify the economy.
Highly valuable content and engaging delivery.
Very good training course and excellent presenter.
Great delivery, great facilitator, carried everyone along and always ensured delegates understand the topics taught.
The practical exercises were important to improve learning.
Very great and useful training course.
The training course was very valuable and fruitful. The Senior Consultant was really an amazing instructor.
Great training course. Great instructor and training location.
This is a great and excellent training. Thank you to the instructor for the well-delivered lectures.
Excellent training! Very professional and knowledgeable instructor. Everything was clear and presented in a very clear and interesting way. It has been a really great experience and the training course was delivered in a relaxing and nice environment.
The training course was really great, and I gained a lot of valuable information from the Energy Training Centre instructor. The training course content was enriching and enjoyable. Thank you all.
The Energy Training Centre's Senior Consultant comes with a wealth of knowledge!
The training course is amazing in all aspects, material wise and even time distribution. I wish everyone to go through this training course.
I try to not exaggerate my ratings, but this has really been an exceptional training course. Should be marketed towards senior leaders and executives in EGA.
Great presentation and material.
Very useful day. Good instructor and professional presentation. The facilitator was fantastic and on top of the job. His delivery was on point.
Had a lot of workshop activities and this made the training more practical and interesting. I really enjoyed the training. He gave more practical workshop demonstrations, on worksite safety practices (IOSH) and power generation processes. Very useful exercises. Additional knowledge acquired and very useful training. He is the perfect instructor.
The course and instructor were very informative and this will greatly help me in my job
Very good course and very interesting
The presenter is amazing, he knows how to keep the audience engaged and his information of the topic is excellent.
Very good course and very informative. The integration between energy, politics & economics well explained.
I really enjoyed this course, it was extremely benefiting. Moreover, we had a great instructor and an amazing teacher. To be honest, this is the best training I have ever attended.
The course provided significant insight to energy contracts.
The presenter understands us and has in depth knowledge of the topic and he chose the most appropriate examples to demonstrate it.
The programme has equipped me with the necessary tools to develop our interventions in the capacitation of energy markets and pricing regimes. Objectives met.
Today's session was an interesting and very useful introduction to the modules in production practices. Energy Training Centre Instructor taught in a lucid, chronological and helpful way. Looking forward to tomorrow’s session.
I was in a relax mood & environment. I am very much satisfied with this course. Well done Energy Training! I enjoyed every moment of this course, it was interactive in nature and we had an easy discussion.
The course was very fruitful and valuable to improve our leadership skills, in both life and work aspects. The instructor had significant positive influence to add up lots of great insights to this course subject.
The course is educative and has exposed me to the new trend in power system.
The consultant is knowledgeable and intelligent. The course material is also well written for easy understanding, also used a lot of practical example to deliver his point.
Learnt a lot today, especially the discussion on environmental and social impact.
I wish the training wouldn’t end because the trainer was very knowledgeable. I can’t wait to go back to my workplace and implement what I’ve learned.
The training program was well organized and executed. Energy Training’s willingness to assist us with any of our concerns was awesome. Great job!
The training is quite informative and interactive. Also, the venue is very conducive for learning.
Brilliant course and intelligent consultant.
The training was really perfect and informative as we gained a lot of new informations related to my field and work environment. Thanks a lot to the instructor for the efforts and skills which passed to us as well as special thanks to the coordinator which is really supportive and spent most of her time to be friendly & helpful. Very good course and orgnization. Well done!
The instructor is best lecturer and presenter. I was learning everyday and we shared our experiences so thank you very much Energy Training. I will encourage my colleagues to participate in future seminars organized by Energy Training and suggest it to anyone who are in search of training/seminar.
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