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Selecting Communication Channels and Styles: Practical Guidance for In-house Lawyers on Audience, Urgency, Record-keeping, Confidentiality and House Style

Practice notes
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Clear communication sits at the heart of the in-house lawyer’s skill set. You might possess deep legal expertise, strategic acumen and strong commercial sense, but if you cannot express your advice in a way your client will actually heed, you will struggle to perform your role well. When a query lands by email, replying in kind is often the simplest option—yet what other channels could we use, and how do we choose the most effective medium?

Understanding your audience

Whatever method you select, start by pinpointing who you’re speaking to. For instance, are you addressing:

  • An internal or external stakeholder
  • A legal professional (and if so, what is their level of experience)
  • A technical expert
  • A front-line employee
  • C-suite
  • A supplier
  • A customer

How much do you know about this person? Do you understand their communication preferences? How could you make it easier for them to absorb your advice or request? Each of these considerations will demand a different approach to tone, level of detail and...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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