
Bringing notice to problems, and helping to solve a problem through clear and concise communication are two. There are many important purposes of a memorandum. The plural form of the Latin noun memorandum so derived is properly memoranda, but if the word is deemed to have become a word of the English language, the plural memorandums, abbreviated to memos, may be used. The origins of the term “briefing” lie in legal “briefs” and the derivative “military briefings”. Typically, a briefing note may be denoted as either “for information” or “for decision”. Policy briefing note Ī specific type of memorandum is the policy briefing note (alternatively referred to in various jurisdictions and governing traditions as policy issues paper, policy memoranda, or cabinet submission amongst other terms), a document for transmitting policy analysis into the political decision making sphere. If the recipient is a colleague, the formatting requirements are usually more flexible. For example, if the intended recipient is a cabinet minister or a senior executive, the format might be rigidly defined and limited to one or two pages. Memorandum formatting may vary by office or institution. Other memorandum formats include briefing notes, reports, letters, and binders. In business, a memo is typically used by firms for internal communication, while letters are typically for external communication.

In law, a memorandum is a record of the terms of a transaction or contract, such as a policy memo, memorandum of understanding, memorandum of agreement, or memorandum of association. Memos can thus communicate important information efficiently in order to make dynamic and effective changes. Commonly abbreviated "memo," these messages are usually brief and are designed to be easily and quickly understood.
EXAMPLE OF LEGAL MEMO PROFESSIONAL
You can find more information on the Justice Studies Guide.Memo written by a White House staff member during the tenure of Jimmy Carter as US president.Ī memorandum ( PL: memoranda abbr: memo from the Latin memorandum, "(that) which is to be remembered") or a briefing note is a written message that is typically used in a professional setting. This is followed by a restatement of the Conclusion.Ĭlick HERE to view a Legal Memo Template. The Reasoning or Discussion section educates the reader about the applicable legal principles, illustrates how those principles apply to the relevant facts, and explores any likely counterarguments.

This section is no more than four to five sentences. The Issue(s) Presented is the subject of the memo presented as a question How does the relevant law apply to the key facts of the research question?īeginning with a conclusion (yes, no, probably yes, etc.), the Brief Answer provides an explanation of the reasons for your conclusion. The Facts section of the memo provides a formal and objective description of the legally significant facts in your research question. The Caption appears at the top of the page and contains this information: **Click HERE to view a Legal Memo Template** Paralegals are often required to draft legal memos. The sections of a legal memorandum are:


