Guide · Legal & Professional Services · By the AutoScribble Team · Published 22 September 2026
Turning legal terminology into plain-English animated explainers
Short answer
Make one 30- to 60-second video per term, defining it in plain English with one everyday comparison, naming the jurisdiction, and avoiding advice on any individual situation. Build a small library from the terms your clients ask about most, and link each video from client emails and your glossary page.
Who this guide is for
Solicitors, legal educators and client-care teams. It's part of our legal & professional services resources.
What you'll need
- List of terms clients ask about
- Your firm's approved definitions
- Jurisdiction
Step by step
- 1
Collect the terms
Ask fee-earners which terms they explain most often.
- 2
Definition first
One sentence, then one comparison.
- 3
Name the jurisdiction
‘In England and Wales…’.
- 4
No individual advice
Keep it general.
- 5
Qualified review
Check accuracy.
Illustrative plain-English definitions
| Term | Plain English | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Disbursements | Costs we pay to others on your behalf, such as search fees | Like a tradesperson passing on the cost of parts |
| Lasting power of attorney (England and Wales) | A legal document letting someone you trust make decisions if you can't | Like giving a trusted person a spare key, with rules on its use |
| Exchange of contracts | The point a property deal becomes legally binding | Like shaking hands and signing on the same day |
Illustrative example written for this guide.
Copy the AutoScribble prompt
Complete prompt
Make a 45-second portrait whiteboard video explaining the term '[term]' in plain English for clients in [jurisdiction]. Give a one-sentence definition, one everyday comparison, and state that this is general information, not advice on any individual situation.
Common mistakes
- Definitions that are still jargon
- Missing jurisdiction
- Drifting into advice
Review before publishing
- Definition accurate
- Jurisdiction stated
- No individual advice
Questions
How many terms should we cover?
Start with the five most-asked; add more over time.