This paper provides tips for drafting effective pleadings. It sets out rules of effective written advocacy for pleadings and highlights best practices (and things to avoid) for statements of claim, statements of defence, counterclaims, and replies. It also suggests tactics that can be used alongside pleadings.

This paper is part of a collection presented at LESA’s Civil Advocacy Series: Getting at the Facts program in Red Deer on April 26, 2019.