Legal Design Basics
What is Legal Design?
Legal Design is a methodology for creating legal documents by applying the principles of design thinking and visual communication. The goal is to make the law clear and accessible to everyone, not just to lawyers.
Legal Design is built on a simple idea: legal documents should be clear to the people they are made for. A contract should be clear to both parties to a deal, not only to lawyers.
In plain words:
You get a contract that can be read and understood in 5 minutes rather than an hour. All the important terms are highlighted, the risks are immediately visible, and complex terms are explained.
The Three Components of Legal Design
Plain Language
Replacing complex legal language with clear wording
Visual Design
Typography, color, icons and infographics to improve comprehension
Structure
A logical organization of information with a clear hierarchy
A Brief History
Legal Design took shape as a discipline in the 2010s, though its roots go back to the Plain Language movement of the 1970s. In 2013, Stanford Law School opened the Legal Design Lab — the first laboratory dedicated to Legal Design.
Legal Design in Russia:
It has been developing actively since 2018–2019. Major banks, IT companies and law firms are adopting the principles of Legal Design in their client contracts, terms of use and internal regulations.
Principles and Methods
Key Principles
User Focus
The document is created for the reader, not for the lawyer
Clarity
Every provision has a single meaning, with no double interpretations
Visual Hierarchy
Important information is highlighted visually
Minimalism
Only the necessary information; everything superfluous is removed
Iteration
Testing with users and continual improvement
Balance
Legal precision is not sacrificed for the sake of clarity
Important:
Legal Design is not merely "attractive styling". It is a comprehensive approach: reworking the structure, simplifying the language, visualizing it and testing with real users.
Document Design Elements
Typography
The right choice of typeface is critical for readability. We recommend using modern, legible typefaces at a size of at least 11–12 points. Headings should stand out clearly.
Color Coding
Color helps to structure information:
- Green — rights and benefits
- Red — restrictions and risks
- Blue — neutral information
- Yellow — important warnings
Icons and Pictograms
They speed up navigation and help readers quickly find the sections they need. They are especially effective for marking types of information: deadlines, payments and the obligations of the parties.
Tables and Diagrams
Complex terms are often easier to take in when presented in a table. Processes and sequences of actions are best shown as diagrams.
Callouts and Highlights
Key provisions are set apart in separate blocks with a border or background. This draws attention to what matters most.
Document Types
Legal Design can be applied to virtually any legal document:
Contracts
Supply, services, lease, works and employment
Offers and Policies
Public offers and privacy policies
Regulations
Company by-laws, instructions and standards
Checklists
Checklists for reviews and procedures
Presentations
Legal opinions and overviews
Forms and Templates
Applications, questionnaires, acts and protocols
The Creation Process
Creating a document in the Legal Design style is a structured process made up of several stages:
1
Analysis
We study the current document and its context. Who will read it? What decisions do they need to make? What problems do users run into?
2
Restructuring
We rework the structure: a logical sequence, grouping of related information and the highlighting of key provisions.
3
Text Editing
We simplify the language while preserving legal precision. We break up long sentences and add explanations.
4
Visual Design
We apply design: typography, color coding, icons and tables. We create a visual hierarchy.
5
Testing
We test with real users. Is the text clear? Is the information easy to find? We make edits.
6
Legal Verification
A final review by a lawyer. We make sure the changes have not affected the legal force of the document.
Benefits for Business
Adopting Legal Design brings measurable results:
Higher Conversion
Clear contracts raise the signing conversion rate by 20–40%
Time Savings
Staff get up to speed faster and clients ask fewer questions
Lower Risk
Fewer misunderstandings mean fewer disputes and claims
Reputation
Clear documents are a sign of being client-focused
Statistics:
Documents in the Legal Design style are read 2–3 times more attentively. The time needed to understand them drops by 50–70%. The number of enquiries with questions falls by 30–50%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the document lose its legal force?
No, provided the work is done by professionals. Legal Design does not change the legal substance — it makes it clearer. All changes undergo legal verification.
How long does the rework take?
It depends on the complexity. A simple 2–3 page contract takes 3–5 business days. A complex set of regulations takes 2–3 weeks. This includes several rounds of edits.
Can it be applied to any document?
Yes, the principles are universal. The greatest impact is on documents read by non-lawyers: client contracts, terms of use and internal regulations.
How can you judge the quality of Legal Design?
The main criterion is clarity for the target audience. Good Legal Design means the reader understands their rights and obligations, easily finds information and needs no further clarification.
Is Legal Design recognized by the courts?
Yes, visual design does not affect legal force. What matters is the content, not the form. At the same time, clear documents reduce the likelihood of disputes over interpretation.
Ready to apply Legal Design?
Order a redesign of your documents
Submit a request
Knowledge Base