Tips For Judgment Writing

The art of writing a judgment for all kinds of offenses carries a forward-looking vision. It’s not just about drafting an order—it’s about guiding the reader through a well-reasoned journey. This is beyond a basic form of writing; it’s a persuasive craft, shaped to align the reader with the final decision of the court through a pragmatic construction of facts, issues, evidence, and conclusions.

Like every art that needs a canvas and the right shades to create something impactful, judgment writing too needs its own structure and rhythm to deliver just results.

Here are some tips for judgment writing:

• Let the judgment flow within a well-laid structure where the principles of IRAC—Issues, Rules, Application, and Conclusion—are deeply embedded. Structure brings clarity and prevents distortion.
  
• While judgments often originate from the grand halls of justice, they shouldn’t lose touch with simplicity, conciseness, and clarity—these remain the heart of effective judgment writing.
  
• Highlight the flaws in the case—the gaps where the hidden answers lie. These often open a window for the other party to understand and respond thoughtfully.
  
• Always explain the reasoning behind the conclusion. It’s not just about what the court decides, but why it decides so.
  
• Draw clear links between the facts, issues, evidence, and the law applied. This makes the reasoning tight and the decision convincing.
  
• Use para numbers or bullet points to add clarity and visual structure—it makes the judgment easy to follow.
  
• Never rush the final step. Always revisit and brush up the judgment before closing the file.
  

Here are some BNSS-laid rules for judgment writing:

• The Presiding Officer (PO) must take down notes in shorthand, and every page of the judgment must be duly signed.
  
• The final copy must be uploaded to the portal within 7 days from the date of pronouncement.
  
• During pronouncement, if the accused is in custody, they must be produced in person or through video conferencing to hear the judgment.
  
• Even if not in custody, their presence is still required.
  
• In case of sentencing, mention the specific offence, governing laws, and relevant section numbers.
  
• In case of acquittal, clearly state the charges dropped, the grounds of innocence, and the governing law.
  
• If multiple laws or sections apply and the court isn’t certain which to rely on, include an alternative judgment path to cover that ground.
  
• The judgment must be digitally signed before being uploaded—not just a scanned copy.
  

Keep this in your legal archive—and feel free to reach out to us for any writing or research services.