1. Overview of Legal Documents

Legal documents are formal papers that outline rights, obligations, and agreements between parties. In EDPM, the emphasis is on correct formatting, terminology, and specific layout rules (such as margins and line spacing).

Common Types of Legal Documents

  • Wills: A legal declaration by which a person (the testator) names one or more persons to manage their estate and provides for the distribution of their property after death.
  • Leases: A contract by which one party conveys land, property, or services to another for a specified time, usually in return for a periodic payment.
  • Contracts of Employment: Agreements between an employer and employee that set out the terms and conditions of a job.
  • Hire Purchase Agreements: A system by which a person pays for a product in regular installments while having the use of it.
  • Conveyance Documents: Legal documents used to transfer the title of a property from one person to another.


2. Key Legal Terminology

To prepare these documents accurately, you must understand the following roles and terms:

Document Type Key Terms

Will

Testator/Testatrix (the person making the will), Beneficiary (recipient of assets), Executor (person carrying out the will).

Lease

Lessor (the landlord/owner), Lessee (the tenant).

Hire Purchase

Vendor/Owner (the seller), Hirer (the buyer).

Contract

Offer, Acceptance, Consideration (something of value exchanged).


3. Formatting Guidelines

Legal documents follow strict formatting rules to ensure they are professional and difficult to alter fraudulently.

  • Margins: Usually wider on the left (e.g., 1.5 inches) to allow for binding or stapling in a legal folder.
  • Line Spacing: Often double-spaced ($2.0$) or $1.5$ spacing to allow room for handwritten notes or corrections.
  • Paper Size: Frequently prepared on Legal size paper ($8.5″ times 14″$), though Letter size is also common depending on the territory.
  • Emphasis: Names of parties are usually in ALL CAPS or Bold to make them stand out.
  • The “Attestation Clause”: This is the section at the end where signatures and witness details are placed. It usually begins with phrases like “In witness whereof…” or “Signed, sealed, and delivered…”


4. Specific Document Structures

A. The Last Will and Testament

A Will typically includes:

  1. Heading: The name of the testator.
  2. Revocation Clause: Stating this replaces all previous wills.
  3. Appointment of Executors: Choosing who manages the estate.
  4. Bequests/Legacies: Listing specific items or money for specific people.
  5. Residuary Clause: What happens to everything else left over.
  6. Testimonium & Attestation: Space for signatures of the testator and at least two witnesses.

B. Lease Agreements

Must include:

  • Parties: Names and addresses of the Lessor and Lessee.
  • The Habendum: Describes the property being leased.
  • The Reddendum: Specifies the rent amount and payment schedule.
  • Covenants: The “rules” (e.g., no pets, repairs, etc.).


5. Printing and Finishing

  • Legal Backing: Some documents are attached to a slightly larger, colored piece of heavy paper (legal backing) to protect them.
  • Stapling: Often stapled at the top or left side, sometimes with the top edge folded over.

Legal Document | CSEC EDPM

This video provides a detailed breakdown of the legal documents covered in the CSEC EDPM syllabus, including layout and key definitions.

1. General Legal Parties

  • Plaintiff / Claimant: The person or party who initiates a lawsuit or legal action in a court of law.
  • Defendant: The person or party being sued or accused in a court of law.
  • Litigation: The process of taking legal action or a “lawsuit.”
  • Indemnity: Security or protection against a loss or other financial burden.


2. Terms by Document Type

Wills and Estates

  • Testator (Male) / Testatrix (Female): The person who has made a will.
  • Executor (Male) / Executrix (Female): The person appointed by the testator to carry out the instructions in the will.
  • Beneficiary: A person who derives advantage from something, especially a trust, will, or insurance policy.
  • Codicil: An addition or supplement that explains, modifies, or revokes a will or part of one.
  • Probate: The official proving of a will as authentic and valid.

Property and Leases

  • Lessor: The owner of a property who allows another to use it under a lease (the landlord).
  • Lessee: The person to whom a lease is granted (the tenant).
  • Conveyance: The legal process of transferring property from one owner to another.
  • Freehold: Permanent and absolute tenure of land or property with freedom to dispose of it at will.

Purchasing and Contracts

  • Vendor: The person or company offering something for sale.
  • Hirer: The person who pays for the use of something or who is purchasing an item via installments.
  • Affidavit: A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in court.
  • Power of Attorney: A legal document giving one person the power to act for another person.

3. Latin Terms often found in Legal Work

Legal documents often retain Latin phrases that carry specific weight:

  • Inter alia: “Among other things.”
  • Pro rata: “In proportion.”
  • Status quo: “The existing state of affairs.”
  • Ultra vires: “Beyond one’s legal power or authority.”
  • Prima facie: “At first sight” (based on the first impression; accepted as correct until proved otherwise).


4. Structural Terms

  • Recitals: The introductory part of a deed or contract that explains the purpose of the document (often starts with “Whereas…”).
  • Operative Part: The main body of the document where the actual agreement or “meat” of the legal action is stated.
  • Attestation Clause: The section at the end of the document where the signatures of the parties and witnesses are placed to make the document valid.



Legal Document
Will with Endorsement
Contract of Employment

Formatting Rules:

  • Line Spacing: $2.0$ (Double Spaced) for the body.
  • Margins: Left margin of $1.5″$ to allow for legal binding.
  • Font: Clear, formal serif font (e.g., Times New Roman).
  • Parties: Names of the Testator and Executors should be in BOLD CAPS.


Sample: Last Will and Testament

THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me, ROHAN LEWIS, of 123 Education Lane, in the Parish of Kingston, Jamaica.

  1. I HEREBY REVOKE all former Wills and Testamentary dispositions made by me at any time heretofore.
  2. I APPOINT KADEEM LEWIN of 456 Knowledge Way, St. Andrew, to be the Executor of this my Will.
  3. I GIVE AND BEQUEATH my motor vehicle to my brother, and the residue of my estate, both real and personal, to my wife for her absolute use and benefit.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of May, 2026.


ROHAN LEWIS

(Testator)

SIGNED by the said ROHAN LEWIS, the Testator, as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us, present at the same time, who at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses:

First Witness: ____________________ Second Witness: ____________________

Address: ________________________ Address: ________________________

Occupation: _____________________ Occupation: _____________________


The Endorsement

The endorsement is a summary typed on the outer side of the document (or a separate page) so the file can be identified without opening it. In an exam, you may be asked to type this centered on the page.

DATED THIS 13TH DAY OF MAY, 2026


LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

OF

ROHAN LEWIS


Prepared by:

LEWIS & ASSOCIATES

Attorneys-at-Law

789 Justice Square

Kingston


A

Contract of Employment in the EDPM syllabus is a formal agreement between an employer and an employee. To meet syllabus standards, it should be presented with professional spacing, clear headings, and specific “Between” and “Whereby” clauses.

Formatting Requirements:

  • Line Spacing: $1.5$ or $2.0$ for the body to allow for easy reading.
  • Margins: Standard legal margins ($1.5″$ left margin for binding).
  • Alignment: Justified text is preferred for legal documents.
  • Emphasis: Names of the Employer and Employee should be in BOLD CAPS.



Sample: Contract of Employment


THIS AGREEMENT is made the 13th day of May, 2026, BETWEEN SCHOOL MEDIA TECH LTD whose registered office is situated at 10 Computer Way, Kingston (hereinafter called “the Employer”) of the one part AND ROHAN LEWIS of 123 Education Lane, Kingston (hereinafter called “the Employee”) of the other part.

WHEREBY IT IS AGREED as follows:

  1. APPOINTMENT

The Employer shall employ the Employee and the Employee shall serve the Employer as an Information Technology Teacher starting from the 1st day of September, 2026.

  1. SALARY

The salary shall be at the rate of $120,000$ per annum, payable monthly in arrears on the last working day of each month.

  1. HOURS OF WORK

The Employee’s normal hours of work shall be from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday inclusive.

  1. TERMINATION

This agreement may be terminated by either party giving one (1) month’s notice in writing or the payment of one month’s salary in lieu of notice.

AS WITNESS the hands of the parties hereto the day and year first above written.

SIGNED by the said Employer: __________________________

(Signature of Authorized Officer)

In the presence of: __________________________

(Witness Signature)

SIGNED by the said Employee: __________________________

ROHAN LEWIS

In the presence of: __________________________

(Witness Signature)

The Endorsement

Just like a Will, an employment contract often has an endorsement on the back or at the bottom of the final page for filing purposes.

DATED THIS 13TH DAY OF MAY, 2026

CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT

BETWEEN

SCHOOL MEDIA TECH LTD

AND

ROHAN LEWIS

Human Resources Department

School Media Tech Ltd

Kingston