Acceso usuarios
Marta Duque Lizarralde
Las estadísticas han confirmado que el lenguaje legal es difícil de entender para el ciudadano de a pie.El lenguaje claro es requerido tanto por la Constitución española como por otras leyes, pero las normasactuales y muchas sentencias no cumplen con ello. El derecho a entender es un viejo requerimiento,pero nunca se ha conseguido. Esto puede provocar indefensión, vulnerando el Art. 24 CE. Hay inicia-tivas tanto europeas como internacionales para conseguir que el lenguaje jurídico sea por fin claro ycomprensible, eliminando expresiones arcaicas y largos párrafos. Por otro lado, el ciudadano no tieneun conocimiento básico de Derecho, lo que le hace más vulnerable.
Difficulty for ordinary citizens for understanding the legal language is confirmed by recent researchstatistics. Clear legal language is required by the Spanish constitution and other recent laws, but actualnorms, court judgements and the Administration’s written production do not comply with this. This isalso being increasingly required by international norms and proposals. The “Right to understand” isan old request, never quite fulfilled. The fact that the Law’s true meaning has to be made clear byfurther interpretation proves its failure. Plain Language Campaign and similar initiatives abound. Eu-ropean Union promotes these goals, issuing specific instructions regarding simplicity of language.Analysis of current legal language style shows problems for its comprehension. Peculiarities of theAdministration language. Lengthy phrasing and archaic style makes for obscure expression of the de-cisions and for difficult understanding. Gap between bureaucratic language and the majority of thepopulation receiving them. Use of simple, direct legal language results in effective protection of citi-zens’ rights. Basic legal teaching is desirable in schools.
