COURSE SYLLABUS

LEGAL WRITING
Fridays, 7:30PM to 9:30PM

ATTY. JASON T. LORENZO

Email: attyjtlorenzocol@gmail.com

Course Description/Objectives:
The primary aim of this course is to teach law students how to
effectively express in writing their knowledge and understanding of
Philippine laws and its legal system in order to prepare them for
their future work as lawyers.
The Course will focus on the fundamentals of effective legal
writing and introduce the students to the basic principles of writing
good pleadings, legal memoranda, affidavits and business
correspondence.

Expected Outcomes:
Upon completion of the Course, the students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate comprehension and observe the diligence
required for effective legal writing;
2. Write legal documents/pleadings effectively and
persuasively;
3. Recognize the ethical and professional responsibilities
involved in legal writing; and
4. Thoroughly analyze, interpret, and use statutes and case
law to construct legal arguments.
References:
Abad, Roberto A., Fundamentals of Legal Writing, 2009
Dean Tabucanon, Gil Marvel P., Legal Writing: A Competency Based
Approach, 2010

Course Outline:

Week Topics to be Discussed

1 Introduction to Legal Writing
2 Definition and Types of Legal Writing
Elements of Legal Writing (Tabucanon,
Chapters I and II)
3 Stages of Legal Writing (Abad, pp. 1-12)
4 Grammar and Usage, Prepositions and
Numbers (Tabucanon, Chapters XIII, XIV and
XV)
5 Punctuations, Capitalizations, Italics, etc.
(Tabucanon, Chapters XVI, XVII)
6 Legal Citation

Read: (1) IN THE MATTER OF THE

CHARGES OF PLAGIARISM, ETC., AGAINST
ASSOCIATE JUSTICE MARIANO C. DEL
CASTILLO, A.M. No. 10-7-17-SC, 647 Phil.
122 [2010]), (2) Vinuya, et al., vs. Hon.
Executive Secretary, et al., G.R. No. 162230
April 28, 2010
7 Establishing the Facts (Abad, pp. 13-46)
8 Issues (Abad, pp. 54-69, 94-120)
9 Arguments (Tabucanon, pp.35-61, pp. 71-83)
(Abad, pp. 47-53, 70-93, 121-148)
10 Technical Language and Legal Writing in
Plain and Clear Language (Tabucanon,
Chapters VIII and IX)
 11 & 12 Objective Legal Analysis & Legal Opinion to a
Client (Tabucanon, Chapters X and XI)
13 & 14 Persuasive Legal Analysis (Tabucanon,
Chapter XII)
15 Legal Affectations to Avoid
16 Importance of Editing and Revising the Work-
Product

Course requirements and Grading System:

Course Requirement Percentage
1. Class standing (recitations, 40%
quizzes and seatworks)
2. Midterm Examinations 30%
3. Final Examinations 30%
Total 100%

Course Policies:
1. Attendance in class shall be based on the requirement set
under the Student Manual of the College of Law.
2. All documents submitted should be the student’s own
original work. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited. Plagiarism is the act
of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or
passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and
passing them off as the product of one’s own mind. 1 “Whether a
student copies verbatim or simply rephrases the ideas of another
without properly acknowledging the source, the theft is the same.” 2
Any paper evidencing plagiarism shall automatically receive a
failing grade.

1
Re: Letter of the UP Law Faculty entitled "Restoring Integrity: A Statement by the Faculty of the University of the
Philippines College of Law on the Allegations of Plagiarism and Misrepresentation in the Supreme Court," A.M. No.
10-10-4-SC, October 19, 2010
2
https://canvas.harvard.edu/courses/2025/assignments/syllabus; accessed on December 7, 2019
 3. Everyone is expected to show respect to one another at all
times during the class.
4. Everyone is required to wear the appropriate attire during
the online class.
5. The video camera of each student is required to be opened
during the duration of the class. Only the audio may be turned off
except when the student is called to recite.
6. Observe strictly the schedule for submission of all tasks.