Schedules Introduction Objectives Training Methodology Who Should Attend? Outline

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Course Schedule

Classroom Sessions:

Date	Venue	Fees
12 - 16 May 2025	London - UK	$5,950
22 - 26 Sep 2025	Dubai - UAE	$5,950
29 Dec 2025 - 02 Jan 2026	Toronto - Canada	$6,950

Online Sessions:

22 - 26 Sep 2025

Online

$3,950

Course Description

INTRODUCTION

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 GLOMACS 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 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

Objectives

By the end of this training seminar 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 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 Outline

Day 1

Principles of Effective Legal Writing

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

Day 2

Best Practices in Drafting a Legal Memorandum

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

Day 3

Principles of Contract Drafting

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

Day 4

Preparing the Contract Draft

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

Day 5

Managing the Negotiated Draft Agreement

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

On successful completion of this training course, GLOMACS Certificate will be awarded to the delegates
Continuing Professional Education credits (CPE) : In accordance with the standards of the National Registry of CPE Sponsor, one CPE credit is granted per 50 minutes of attendance

Providers and Associations

Endorsed Education Provider

GLOMACS is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org

In Association With

PetroKnowledge

Our collaboration with Petroknowledge aims to provide the best training services and benefits for our valued clients

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The Energy Training Centre

Our collaboration with Energy Training Centre aims to provide the best training services and benefits for our valued clients