Legal practitioners typically write letters to clients to answer a question or explain the client’s legal obligations or rights, or to other parties to make a demand on a client’s behalf.

Client letters should be direct and to the point. For example, if the client has asked what their rights are in a situation, they do not need the background of the applicable law. They simply need you to explain to them what they can and cannot do.

As you write, remember that your client is not a legal expert. You are not writing to another lawyer, and your language should reflect this. You should ensure that your response would be understood by the average person, and should take into account any special needs of your client that you are aware of. However, you should not patronise the client with overly simplistic language and explanations.

Some client correspondence may occur using email. See Ensuring that online content is rigorous for some tips on what to consider under these circumstances.