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James McDermott: Long-winded court judgments make issues less clear and cost more money

Courts are increasingly issuing lengthier rulings in cases, which undermine their effectiveness

To make decisions more accessible one High Court judge often attaches a letter or note written in plain English

When Albert Einstein met Charlie Chaplin in 1931, Einstein said: “What I admire most about your art, is its universality. You do not say a word, and yet the world understands you.” “It’s true,” replied Chaplin, “But your fame is even greater: The world admires you, when nobody understands what you say.”

Unfortunately, it is impossible for a Judge to decide a case without saying anything. Equally unacceptable is delivering a judgment that nobody else ...