PIK - Civil, Plain Language Instructions

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Plain Language PIK - Civil Instructions

For the first time in its history the PIK - Civil Advisory Committee presents a set of instructions that have been revised using plain language principles. The audience for the plain language revisions is the juror. The Committee sought to be as concrete as possible and tried to use understandable ordinary vocabulary. Legal jargon, while useful for professionals, is foreign to the general public. Therefore, the Committee tried to avoid jargon and archaic terms and substituted more common language when possible. However, such translation always poses the threat of loss of subtle points of law.

Prior to adopting these instructions, the Committee seeks responsible comments from the judges and lawyers who use the instructions in court. If you would like to comment on the plain language revision, email Nancy Strouse or send written comments to:

Nancy Strouse
Kansas Judicial Council
301 SW 10th Street, Suite 140
Topeka, KS 66612-1507