Legal Letter Templates and Samples

What Is a Legal Letter? 

A Legal Letter is a formal document sent to the individual, entity, or government authority to establish a contractual relationship, elaborate on a specific point of view, contest official rules and regulations, or share information or access to information.

Whether you need to comment on a court case or contractual dispute, create official records of your communication with a business partner, or extend the framework of an existing agreement, a customized Legal Letter template will help you to convey your message.

Legal Letter Types

The documents below are among the most popular Legal Letters - declare your opinion with regard to a certain legal matter, agree to enter into a transaction, or challenge another person or organization's point of view. 

1. Letter of Indemnity. Traditionally prepared by a third party to the main contract - a financial institution like an insurance provider or bank - this document guarantees compensation to the non-breaching party to the agreement in case their counterpart fails to fulfill their obligations.
2. Letter of Attestation. A Letter of Attestation can serve as evidence of a certain person's proper behavior in their personal life and professional surroundings if completed and signed by the individual who has been in contact with them for a long time.
3. Opinion Letter. Experts in a particular field - most often, lawyers - can prepare this statement to express their perspective or share their advice regarding an issue at hand.
4. Letter of Representation. A Letter of Representation can refer to the authorization given to a person or organization who can act on behalf of their client or the consent given by the company to the auditor who may obtain access to their private records and review all documents.
5. Petition Letter. This document can be submitted to the government authority or entity to call them to action or request a change in their position or opinion - usually if they should reconsider their political or ethical stance.
6. Letter of Commitment. Confirm your willingness to carry out your duties under the original agreement or show your preparedness to sign a contract in the future using this statement.
7. Letter of Understanding. Fill out this document during the contractual negotiations to certify your intent to adhere to the terms and conditions that were previously mentioned in a verbal discussion.

How to Write a Legal Letter?

Here are some tips that apply to any Legal Letter - they will help you compose an effective statement:

1. Since there is no uniform Legal Letter format, you are free to draft the document the way you like. However, while your goal is to impress the reader and possibly request, offer, or demand something, your tone must remain formal and professional - this letter may be used as evidence in case of a future dispute.
2. Greet the recipient - try to find the appropriate addressee to speed up the processing of your letter and show you have done your research. Introduce yourself and add your contact details so that the recipient can reach you and ask additional questions.
3. Present your point of view in the main body of the letter. The standard Legal Letter size does not exceed a couple of pages if you refer to other documentation. Alternatively, you may create a long letter especially if there is no contract at the moment and you are only planning to sign it. State your concerns, requests, and proposals clearly and be open to a discussion with the other party.
4. Send the letter via certified mail to obtain a receipt - it will prove you communicated your wishes to the recipient on time. 

Related Letter Templates and Tags:

• Letters of Interest;
• IRS Letters;
• Real Estate Letters.