Legislative Drafter′s Desk Reference

The Legislative Drafter's Desk Reference, third edition, is a practical guide to drafting federal, state, and local laws. Designed for professional drafters as well as other legal professionals and students, it provides a trove of information and solid drafting principles in easy-to-understand language.

In this all-purpose manual and desk-side reference, the authors introduce legislative drafting, provide step-by-step details for crafting legislation, and explain how the process fits into the broader legislative picture. This edition updates the previous edition, in particular to reflect changes in and sources of statutory law and in case law that influences legislative drafting.

The Legislative Drafter's Desk Reference provides helpful compare/contrast exercises derived from poorly drafted bills, and style and language usage guidance to ensure clear communication. The book covers such wide-ranging topics as:

• the mechanics of good writing,
• steps in drafting,
• writing amendatory provisions,
• federal drafting styles and parliamentary considerations,
• principles of statutory construction,
• drafting nonfederal law, and
• considerations in drafting regulations.

In addition, the Desk Reference includes numerous examples, models, and case studies to illustrate drafting principles (including modifications to the Roman rule) and ensure that a bill addresses all the issues necessary to make it an effective piece of legislation.

The Legislative Drafter's Desk Reference is an essential guide for anyone-novice or expert-who wants to understand and analyze legislation.