Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances · Art of Opinion Writing

Essentials and Qualities of a Good Legal Opinion

Updated 11 October 2026 · Fact-checked

A good legal opinion is a reasoned, written view on a legal question, based on stated facts and applicable law. Its essentials are clarity, accuracy, sound reasoning, objectivity and proper use of authorities. In the exam, state the facts, frame the issue, apply the law, and give a clear conclusion with caveats.

Understand Essentials and Qualities of a Good Opinion

A legal opinion is a professional's written advice on how the law applies to a given set of facts. The client relies on it to decide what to do. A Company Secretary gives such opinions on company law, securities law and compliance questions.

A good opinion is useful before it is clever. The reader should understand the answer without having to read the law. This is why clarity comes first. Use plain words, short sentences and a logical order.

The other qualities protect the client and you. Accuracy means the facts and the law are stated correctly and are current. Reasoning means you show how the law leads to the conclusion, not just the conclusion. Objectivity means you give the view the law supports, even if the client hoped for a different one, and you point out the risks. Proper use of authorities means you support your view with the relevant provision, rule, regulation or judicial decision, and cite only what you are sure of.

Two more qualities complete the picture. The opinion must be complete, covering every issue raised and flagging any that need more facts. It must also be practical, ending with a clear recommendation or next step. State your assumptions and limits openly, because an opinion is only as good as the facts given to you.

Key rules to remember

Core qualities checklist: Clarity + Accuracy + Reasoning + Objectivity + Authorities; Name each quality and show it in your answer with a line from the facts.
Reasoning pattern: Facts → Issue → Law → Application → Conclusion; Follow this order in every opinion. Skipping Application is the commonest way to lose marks.
Supporting qualities: Completeness + Practicality + Stated assumptions and limits; Add these to show a professional finish.

How to solve Essentials and Qualities of a Good Opinion questions

Use this method for any question that asks you to give an opinion or explain what makes an opinion good.

1Read the question and mark the facts, the client and the exact question asked.
2Frame the issue in one sentence, for example, whether the company can do X under the Companies Act, 2013.
3Identify the governing provision or rule. Name a section only if you are certain of it; otherwise describe the rule in words.
4Apply the rule to each fact. Show how each fact helps or hurts the conclusion.
5Address the other side briefly, covering risks, exceptions and any case law you are sure of.
6State a clear conclusion in the first or last lines and give a practical recommendation.
7Note your assumptions and any missing facts that could change the view.
8Re-read for clarity, accuracy and tone. Remove vague words like 'probably' unless you explain why.

Quickest way: Five-quality scan

When to use it: Use it when a theory question asks for the essentials or qualities of a good opinion and time is short.

List the five qualities: clarity, accuracy, reasoning, objectivity, authorities.
Write one or two lines on each, covering what it means and why it matters.
Add completeness and practicality as the finishing qualities.
Close with a line on stating assumptions and avoiding over-promising.

Common mistakes in Essentials and Qualities of a Good Opinion

Giving the conclusion without reasoning
Students think the examiner only wants the answer.
Fix: Always show the link from fact to law to conclusion. Marks follow the analysis.
Writing only a list of qualities in a case question
Students confuse a theory question with an application question.
Fix: If facts are given, write the actual opinion and show the qualities through it.
Citing sections or cases from memory without certainty
Students want to look impressive.
Fix: Cite only what you are sure of. Describe the rule in plain words if unsure. A wrong citation hurts accuracy.
Telling the client only what they want to hear
Students forget that objectivity is a professional duty.
Fix: State the legal position honestly and list the risks and alternatives.
Ignoring missing facts and assumptions
Students rush to conclude.
Fix: Write a short line on assumptions and say which extra facts could change the view.
Using heavy legal language
Students believe complexity shows skill.
Fix: Use short sentences and plain terms. Define any technical term once.

Worked examples

Example 1

State the essentials of a good legal opinion that a Company Secretary should keep in mind before giving advice to a client.

Show the solution

Open with the meaning: a legal opinion is a reasoned written view on how the law applies to stated facts.
Clarity: the opinion should use plain language and a logical order so the client can act on it.
Accuracy: the facts and law must be correct and current.
Reasoning: the opinion should explain how the law leads to the conclusion.
Objectivity: it should give the view the law supports and point out risks, not simply please the client.
Authorities: it should rely on relevant provisions and decisions that the writer is sure of.
Completeness and practicality: it should cover all issues, state assumptions and end with a clear recommendation.

Answer: A good opinion is clear, accurate, well reasoned, objective and supported by proper authorities. It is also complete, practical and states its assumptions.

Example 2

Nova Textiles Ltd asks you whether it may go ahead with a board decision that its director thinks is valid. You find the provision needs a shareholder approval that has not been taken. The director wants a favourable opinion. How should you write the opinion?

Show the solution

Facts: record that the company proposes to act on the board decision alone and that no shareholder approval is on record.
Issue: whether the decision can be implemented without shareholder approval.
Law: state the applicable provision in words, or by section number only if certain, saying that the approval of members is required for this kind of decision.
Application: since no approval has been taken, the condition is not met.
Objectivity: do not give a favourable view to please the director. Say that acting now exposes the company and its officers to legal risk.
Recommendation: advise obtaining the required approval first, then implementing the decision.
Assumptions: note that the view is based on the facts supplied and would change if approval already exists.

Answer: The opinion should say that the board decision cannot safely be implemented without the required shareholder approval, and should advise obtaining it first. This shows objectivity, reasoned application and practicality.

Exam tips

If the question lists facts, write the opinion in the order Facts, Issue, Law, Application, Conclusion.
Name each quality in bold or underline so the examiner sees it quickly.
Give a clear one-line conclusion; do not leave the client guessing.
Cite a section or case only when certain; otherwise state the rule in words.
Write assumptions and a short caveat at the end. It earns credit and protects the client.

Practice questions from Art of Opinion Writing

Essentials and Qualities of a Good Opinion: frequently asked questions

What are the essentials of a good legal opinion?

They are clarity, accuracy, sound reasoning, objectivity and proper use of authorities. A good opinion is also complete and practical, and it states its assumptions.

Should a legal opinion always favour the client?

No. It should state the legal position honestly, even if the client hoped for another answer. You can suggest lawful alternatives and point out the risks.

How long should an opinion be in the exam?

Long enough to cover facts, issue, law, application and conclusion. Short, focused paragraphs score better than long ones that wander.

Do I need to quote case law in every opinion?

No. Use authorities that are relevant and that you are sure of. If you are unsure of a case name or holding, state the legal principle in plain words.