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Drafting International Commercial Agreements in English Training Course

The complete guide to drafting and negotiating clear and concise commercial agreements in English. Presented by an expert linguist with extensive experience in commercial law.

★★★★★ "The speaker was very professional and I particularly liked the usage of plain English for drafting c... more (38)"

5-7 February 2024
+ 14-16 May 2024, 12-14 November 2024 »
from £1099

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Format: Live online
CPD: 18 hours for your records
Certificate of completion

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Course overview

Most international agreements are drafted in the English language irrespective of the nationality of contracting parties. Language errors in the text and unclear and inconcise phrasing cause confusion and can ultimately lead to a dispute if they go unnoticed. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the common pitfalls, key areas of risk and up-to-date drafting techniques in English to ensure you protect your organisation against unnecessary risk.

What are the objectives of this programme?

Learn how to recognise drafting inaccuracies to effectively re-draft poorly written clauses
Draft effective standard clauses that can be used across the organisation to manage exposure to legal risk
Understand the principles of using plain English within your contract to reduce uncertainty
Focus on agreement structure, linguistic clarity and accuracy to draft with confidence
Discover how to avoid over complex sentences and structures to limit the risk of dispute
Develop more effective legal writing skills that can be used in all your business communications

Who should attend?

Lawyers working in industry and government
Lawyers in banks and financial institutions
Lawyers in private practice
Lawyers and corporate executives involved in the drafting of contracts in English

This training course is part of our Commercial Contracts Training Course collection which has been designed for the in-house lawyer.

Enrol or reserve

The Drafting International Commercial Agreements in English course will cover:

PRACTICIAL EXERCISE: Guidelines to clear writing/drafting contracts in clear English

How to structure clauses
Using the language of obligation and discretion accurately: shall, may and must
Avoiding old-fashioned language
Effective use of provisos and exceptions (eg ‘provided that’ and ‘notwithstanding’)

Structure and terminology of contracts

Applying the key elements, terms, phrases and structures
Preamble
Recitals
Performance related clauses
- Force majeure
- Liquidated damages
- Governing law, etc
Boilerplate or standard clauses
- Amendment
- Assignment
- Severability, etc

PRACTICAL EXERCISE: Drafting standard clauses in English

During this practical session, participants will apply the principles above to the redrafting of a range of clauses from international commercial agreements. Both individual and group work exercises will be undertaken with results reviewed in a group forum and constructive feedback and guidance supplied by the expert trainer.

PRACTICAL EXERCISE: Legal vocabulary

During this session, participants will work through exercises both individually and in groups to develop their knowledge of legal vocabulary.

Email and letter writing with precision and clarity

Different types of written communication and their appropriate use
Examples of standard opening and closing
Differences between semi-formal and informal register
Structuring a letter of advice
Differences between British and American English

PRACTICAL EXERCISE: Drafting emails with precision and clarity

The participants will apply the principles above by redrafting a badly written piece of legal correspondence.

PRACTICAL EXERCISE: Proof reading

Participants will carry out exercises in which they have to identify and correct a series of errors in legal correspondence and memoranda including:

Grammar
Punctuation
Spelling

PRACTICAL EXERCISE: Redrafting

Following a review of the principles of clear drafting taught during day one, the participants will develop these skills further by redrafting more complex clauses whilst making necessary amendments to protect the interests of one of the parties.

Legal vocabulary

There will be a series of exercises to develop the knowledge of the participants of legal vocabulary including the differences between British and American English.

Delegate contributions

All participants are invited to bring with them examples of their own work/contracts, edited to ensure confidentiality, for review by the expert trainer. Constructive feedback will be given in each case. (NB: Because of time constraints, it will not be possible to review entire agreements or extensive sections. Participants are requested to limit their contributions to selected clauses or short sections.)

PRACTICAL EXERCISE: Advanced contract drafting

Participants will be working in small teams to draft a number of clauses from scratch based on written instructions. The clauses will be taken from the following types of agreements:

Licence agreement
Distribution agreement
Share purchase agreement
Lease agreement
Employment agreement

Legal advice

Participants will also write letters of advice in relation to some of the clauses that they have redrafted during day one and day two.

The letters will seek to:

Summarise the clause
Point out to what extent the clause as currently drafted is not in the interests of their client
Explain how the clause should be amended

Grammar

Exercises on the use of prepositions and countable nouns in a legal context.

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Alan Simmons
Consultant

Alan Simmons LLB (Hons) in Law with French LLM, RSA CETEFLA. Alan is a highly experienced trainer of legal English who has been working with international lawyers across the globe for over 20 years to enhance their skills at drafting concise and watertight clauses in the English language. He qualified as a solicitor in England and has passed the New York Bar with a view to becoming a US qualified lawyer. He studied law in the UK, Strasbourg and the European University in Florence and then went on to train as a solicitor in an international law firm and practised in commercial law in law firms in London. He has used this experience to successfully train legal staff from junior counsel to judges in all elements of international commercial law across the world. Alan is a dynamic trainer and applies a highly interactive style to ensure complete understanding and an enjoyable learning experience.

More details

NEW higher discounts for multiple bookings - bring your colleagues to make your training budget go further:

30% off the 2nd delegate*
40% off the 3rd delegate*
50% off the 4th delegate*

Please contact us for pricing if you are interested in booking 5 or more delegates

5-7 February 2024

Live online

09:30-17:00 UK (London) (UTC+00)
10:30-18:00 Paris (UTC+01)
04:30-12:00 New York (UTC-05)
Course code 14186

GBP 1,099 1,399
EUR 1,589 2,009
USD 1,821 2,289

Until 01 Jan

3 days live online training
Browser-based, no download usually required
See presenters and interact with fellow attendees
Download documentation and certification of completion
Fair transfer and cancellation policy

View basket

Not ready to book yet?

for 7 days, no obligation

14-16 May 2024

Live online

09:30-17:00 UK (London) (UTC+01)
10:30-18:00 Paris (UTC+02)
04:30-12:00 New York (UTC-04)
Course code 13646

GBP 1,099 1,399
EUR 1,589 2,009
USD 1,821 2,289

Until 09 Apr

3 days live online training
Browser-based, no download usually required
See presenters and interact with fellow attendees
Download documentation and certification of completion
Fair transfer and cancellation policy

View basket

Not ready to book yet?

for 7 days, no obligation

12-14 November 2024

Live online

09:30-17:00 UK (London) (UTC+00)
10:30-18:00 Paris (UTC+01)
04:30-12:00 New York (UTC-05)
Course code 14040

GBP 1,099 1,399
EUR 1,589 2,009
USD 1,821 2,289

Until 08 Oct

3 days live online training
Browser-based, no download usually required
See presenters and interact with fellow attendees
Download documentation and certification of completion
Fair transfer and cancellation policy

View basket

Not ready to book yet?

for 7 days, no obligation

* Early booking discounts may not be combined with other discounts or offers. As such, the discounts for 2nd/3rd/4th delegates are based on the full price.

Reviews of IPI's Drafting International Commercial Agreements in English training course

The course was excellent thanks to Alan and his working method. His passion for language and words were such an inspiration. I would recommend this course !

Nov 15 2022

Laure Corbier Switzerland
Lawyer, UEFA

Nov 13 2019

The speaker was very professional and I particularly liked the usage of plain English for drafting commercial contracts.

Xaypaseuth Phomsoupha Lao People's Democratic Republic
Chief Contractual Consultant, Sivath & Associates Sole Co., Ltd

Mar 12 2019

This was a great training. Thanks to the speaker's interactive approach you have the opportunity to learn a lot on contract drafting, legal vocabulary, punctuation and grammar. Finishing touch are the proverbs. The training is useful for non-native speakers. Tips and tricks are included in the training material.

Tinneke De Boeck Belgium
Paralegal, Terumo Europe NV

Mar 12 2019

Very good speaker, friendly with a lot of knowledge and patience. Practical hands on course. Excellent.

Elsbeth Bertheux Netherlands
Senior Legal Counsel, Interxion HeadQuarters BV

Nov 13 2019

The course provides a clear and relevant overview of the most important lessons for drafting contracts and I received many practical and useful tips. Alan is very clear in his communications and is able to explain everything very well and keep the course interesting for the whole three days. The course definitely enables you to put the lessons learned into practice right away.

Raph Dijkstra United Kingdom
Junior Legal Counsel, Royal HaskoningDHV UK Lts

Mar 13 2018

The presentation was excellent and the content was interesting.

Sandrine Foster Germany
Head of Purchasing Group / Contracts Officer, EUMETSAT

Mar 13 2018

I liked it. I will consider coming back for other courses conducted by Falconbury.

Hammad Al-Hammad Saudi Arabia
Legal Researcher, Saline Water Conversion Corp.

Mar 13 2018

Alan Simmons is an excellent individual with amazing teaching skills.

Radhika Mahass South Africa
In Legal Training,

Mar 13 2018

I really enjoyed the training and I learned a lot. More than I expected. The content was good. Good mix of language/grammar/spelling exercises and drafting exercises. Lots of opportunity to ask questions and to discuss plenary. Engaging speaker.

Marjon Vloedbeld Netherlands
International Legal Counsel / Advocaat, Ranstad Holding nv

Mar 14 2017

Mr Simmons is an expert in the topic and has great linguistic skills that are very helpful. He has a remarkable capacity to pass on his (considerable) knowledge in the clearest way and is very encouraging. The course was clear, dynamic and to the point. The best lecture I have attended.

Eliane Van Hoffelen Belgium

Nov 15 2017

The speaker is really good.

Kadi Raudsepp Estonia
Legal Director, Admiral Markets AS

Nov 14 2016

Very useful.

Rouda Bahzad Qatar
Legal Counsel, Qatar Foundation

Mar 14 2016

Excellent. I liked that we were well prepared by the speaker for all exercises. Alan gave us the e ssentials of grammar, vocabulary and punctuation in a shortened but accessible fashion. The training was interactive so it was easy to keep focus.

Anastasiia Bezulenko Netherlands
Assistant Contracts Officer, Octagon Professionals

Mar 14 2016

The course is very interactive and the speaker is good.

Pilar Riviere Switzerland
IOC Television & Marketing Services SA

Mar 14 2016

Three intensive days, proactivity required (which is really appreciated) and an excellent teacher!

Alice LANDRAIN France
VALNEVA SE

Nov 11 2015

Clear, accurate and very skilled speaker.

Michela Carnini Switzerland
Assistant Manager, Helsinn Healthcare SA

Mar 23 2015

Very good

Anastasia Iliopoulou Greece
Legal Associate, Pharmaserve Lilly SACI

Mar 23 2015

Very useful and detailed

Borislav Dakic Serbia
Director of Legal Department, Hemofarm AD

Mar 23 2015

Great course

Efrat Eldan Schechter Israel
Shamir Optical Industry

Mar 23 2015

Very good, high level

Aart Besuijen Netherlands
VP Legal - Commercial Contracting, Interxion Headquarters BV

Mar 23 2015

Very useful and well organised

Maria Stefania De Santis Belgium
Legal Expert , Eurocontrol

Nov 12 2014

Wonderful

Natasa Sagernik Slovenia
Contract Administrator, Nuklearna elektrarna Krsko d.o.o

Nov 12 2014

Wonderful

Natasa Sagernik Slovenia
Contract Administrator, Nuklearna elektrarna Krsko d.o.o

Nov 12 2014

Very interesting and energetic training

Anna Chara Poland
License Agreement Specialist, Polpharma Trade Office

Mar 24 2014

Really useful course

Veronica Rossi Netherlands
Legal Counsel, DENSO Europe B.V.

Nov 12 2014

Overall the course (content and speaker) were high up in my expectations

Leticia Campos Buaiz United Kingdom
Legal Advisor, Trac Oil and Gas Ltd

Nov 12 2014

Very intensive and interactive course

Stéphane Adam France
Head of Legal for Western Europe Region - IBFS, Societe Generale

Nov 12 2014

Pragmatic alive

Stéphane Adam France
Head of Legal for Western Europe Region - IBFS, Societe Generale

Nov 13 2013

Very useful course. Thanks to brilliant Mr. Simmons!

Christian R. Frick Austria
Senior Legal Counsel, OMV Aktiengesellschaft

Nov 13 2013

I liked everything – content, presentation and especially the speaker.

Anna Korneeva Russia
Lawyer, JSC Polymetal Management

Nov 13 2013

The course was really interesting and useful. It wasn't hard to understand the speaker or to carry out the tasks but was challenging and interesting enough.

Evgeniya Kudrova Russia
Lawyer, JSC Polymetal Management

Nov 13 2013

The course is a very useful training for non-native speakers. Through practical exercises and the interactive approach, you not only gradually improve your contract drafting skills, but also refresh your knowledge of grammar and legal vocabulary. The tips and tricks also have their relevance for contract drafting in general, regardless of the contract language.

Sophie Isebaert Belgium
In-house counsel, Honda Europe NV

Mar 25 2013

It was great and clear

Ohoud Almugairen Saudi Arabia
Dar Aluloom University, -

Nov 13 2013

Very concrete, useful.

Anne Mercier France
legal counsel, ORANGINA SCHWEPPES

Nov 13 2013

Excellent course and a great speaker!

María Pedrosa Martínez Spain
Contracts Lawyer, Repsol S.A.