Plain language reviews by lawyers who know design

We rewrite complex legal documents — consumer terms, B2B contracts, policies, disclosures — so the people who rely on them can read them once and act correctly.

Every review is grounded in plain language best practice for law, our primary research on cognitive diversity, and real-user testing.

Plain language is a legal skill, not a copywriting exercise

Simplifying a legal document without changing its legal effect is drafting discipline of the highest order. Inkling is a law firm as well as a design practice: our plain language reviews are performed by lawyers working alongside information designers, so nothing is lost in translation — no obligation softened, no condition dropped, no compliance requirement compromised. What changes is the reader's experience: shorter sentences, active voice, logical order, defined terms that stay defined, and structure that lets a reader find the answer instead of hunting for it.

The Financial Times has recognised this work repeatedly — including our 2024 Innovative Lawyers award for redesigning ANSTO's commercial project agreements into language its scientist partners could work with, and our plain-English writing course for lawyers, ranked in the FT's 2024 report after adoption by eight corproate clients in its first year.

What we review and rewrite

Consumer terms and conditions, product disclosure statements and financial services documents; B2B and supplier contracts, codes of conduct and enterprise agreements; workplace policies, procedures and governance documents; letters, notices and customer communications; and legislation-adjacent guidance for government and regulators. Engagements range from a single critical document to a full document estate, and we align our approach with ISO 24495-1, the international plain language standard.

Written for both of your readers

Every document we simplify now has a second reader: the AI systems answering questions on its behalf. Ambiguity doesn't disappear when an AI reads it — it gets summarised fluently and confidently. Our plain language reviews are structured so both readers succeed: clear sections AI can retrieve accurately, and language humans can act on.

Proof, not opinion

"Clearer" is a claim; we deliver a measurement. Reviews can include before-and-after user testing with real readers, benchmarked against our global portfolio — so you can show your board, your regulator or your customers that comprehension measurably improved.

Why legal design is AI readiness →
User testing →

FAQs

  • No — that's the discipline. Our reviews are performed by lawyers: legal effect, obligations and compliance are preserved while the barriers to understanding are removed. We can provide a clause-by-clause reconciliation showing meaning is intact.

  • A plain language review focuses on the words and structure of a document. A full legal design project can also rethink format, visuals, user journey and delivery. Many clients start with a review and expand from there.

  • Yes — and clarity often strengthens your position. A term a customer demonstrably understood is easier to rely on than one buried in dense boilerplate. Courts and regulators increasingly expect key terms to be prominent and comprehensible.

  • Yes. We user-test with real readers performing realistic tasks and benchmark comprehension against our international testing portfolio — before-and-after evidence, not a style opinion.