‘It’s Complicated’: the development of plain language legislative drafting in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand

Abstract This article describes how legislative drafters in three countries have tried to write clearer laws. It identifies three key influences on this development: public and political interest, government support, and drafting office cultures. This article also describes three phases in this trend: from simplifying wording to clarifying text and structure and now edifying readers by providing context and guidance. These emerging goals reflect growing awareness and understanding of statute users’ needs.