Read the fine print?

Just over a year ago, the Singapore government started a campaign to get government agencies to write simply. Since then, some commercial companies have followed suit by rewriting their terms and conditions to allow the average person to understand what he is getting himself into.

Too often we look at a thick legal document and put it aside before even reading the first line. Technical jargon, legal speak, do not understand, ... Who bothers to read the Terms and Conditions, or "fine print" for that matter? The sales person explained everything to me already.

Since the move to simplify legal documents, the number of pages has also been drastically reduced, by up to 50%! How about that for saving the environment by using less paper? I think many people actually bother to read the Terms and Conditions now.

It is certainly timely. We could all benefit from less confusion and more direct writing styles. The earth would benefit from the reduction in paper usage. Win-win situation all round!

Here's to clear and simple written communication!