Tips in Preparing Legal Forms

A. The Document Size

As a general rule, the size of every legal form is 8.5" x 13", the legal size coupon bond. However there are some exceptions to this rule. When preparing (1) Negotiable Instruments, (2) Contracts and (3) Special Power of Attorneys, there is usually no preferred size.

B. Margins:

The customary practice for margins in legal forms is not less than one and a half (1 1/2) inches for both the top and left side of the form. The right side of the form usually has smaller margin but close to the margins on the left and top side.

C. Notarial Seal

It is impressed at the end of the document where the document, page, book numbers and series of the notarial seal are indicated.

If the document is consists of more than one page, the notarial seal must be impressed on every page thereof.

D. The Form for Non-Litigation Forms

>The declarations can be enumerated by using: (1) WHEREAS before each declaration or (2) by numbering each decalration.

> In using the WHEREAS clauses, the form must be ended with a THEREFORE clause. They start with the announcement KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, and end with IN WITNESS WHEREOF.

> If the document needs to be acknowledged, the signature of two witnesses in required.

E. Legal Sources

1. Rule 7, Rules of Court- Parts of a Pleading

2. Rule 9, Sections 1 and 11, Rules of Court- Effects of Failure to Plead

3. Rule 8, Sections 1 to 4, Rules of Court- Manner of Making Allegations in Pleadings

Banking Laws of the Philippines.