Legal Opinion Drafter

This skill provides structured templates and guidelines for drafting professional legal opinions following Indian legal practice standards.

Purpose

Draft well-structured legal opinions by:

Following standard opinion format (Issue-Rule-Analysis-Conclusion)
Ensuring proper legal citations (statutes + case law)
Including mandatory disclaimers
Maintaining professional tone and precision
Organizing complex legal analysis logically

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

Drafting formal legal opinions for clients
Creating research memoranda on legal issues
Preparing advisory documents on Indian law
Responding to legal queries requiring detailed analysis
Documenting legal positions with supporting authorities

Standard Opinion Structure

Format Template

# LEGAL OPINION

**Matter**: [Brief description]
**Date**: [Date of opinion]
**Prepared By**: Claude Code - Indian Law Knowledge System
**Reference**: [File/matter reference if applicable]

---

## 1. QUESTION(S) PRESENTED

[Concise statement of legal issue(s) to be analyzed]

Example:
1. Whether a suit for specific performance filed on November 28, 2024 for a sale agreement dated January 1, 2020 with performance date June 1, 2020 is within the limitation period prescribed under the Limitation Act, 1963?

---

## 2. BRIEF ANSWER

[1-3 sentence summary conclusion]

Example:
Yes, the suit is within limitation. Under Article 54 of the Limitation Act, 1963, the limitation period is three years from the date fixed for performance. With the COVID-19 Supreme Court extension of 531 days, the final deadline is November 28, 2024.

---

## 3. FACTS

[Relevant factual background - only material facts]

Guidelines:
- Chronological presentation
- Dates in clear format (January 1, 2020)
- Only legally relevant facts
- Numbered for easy reference

Example:
1. On January 1, 2020, the parties entered into a sale agreement for immovable property located at [address].
2. The agreement fixed June 1, 2020 as the date for performance.
3. The seller refused to execute the sale deed on June 15, 2020.
4. Prior to filing this suit, no litigation was pending between the parties.

---

## 4. APPLICABLE LAW

### 4.1 Statutory Provisions

[Cite relevant statutes with full citation on first mention]

Example:
**Limitation Act, 1963**
- Section 3: Mandatory bar on suits instituted after prescribed period
- Article 54: "For the specific performance of a contract" - Three years from date fixed for performance or, if no such date is fixed, from the date on which the plaintiff has notice that performance is refused

**Specific Relief Act, 1963** (as amended 2018)
- Section 10: Specific performance of contracts
- Section 20: Discretion as to decreeing specific performance (mandatory post-2018 Amendment)

### 4.2 Case Law

[Cite binding precedents with proper AIR/SCC citations]

Example:
**Supreme Court Precedents**:

1. **Cognizance for Extension of Limitation Period – COVID-19 v. Union of India**, Miscellaneous Application No. 21 of 2022 in Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No. 3/2020
   - Held: Extension of limitation period by 531 days from March 15, 2020 to October 2, 2021
   - Applicability: All proceedings including suits, appeals, applications

2. **Basawaraj v. Land Acquisition Officer**, AIR 2013 SC 3109
   - Held: Limitation is mandatory; court has no discretion to extend (except Section 5 for appeals/applications)

---

## 5. ANALYSIS

[Detailed legal reasoning applying law to facts]

Structure:
- Start with statutory framework
- Apply case law principles
- Address counter-arguments
- Distinguish unfavorable precedents if any

Example:
### 5.1 Limitation Period Calculation

Under Article 54 of the Limitation Act, 1963, the limitation period for a suit for specific performance is three years. The critical question is determining when this period commences.

#### Starting Point
The Schedule to the Limitation Act specifies that the period begins to run "from the date fixed for performance or, if no such date is fixed, when the plaintiff has notice that performance is refused."

In the present case, the agreement fixed June 1, 2020 as the performance date. However, actual refusal occurred on June 15, 2020. Under Article 54, limitation commences from the refusal to perform (June 15, 2020), not the fixed date, when refusal occurs after the fixed date.

#### Basic Limitation Calculation
- Starting Point: June 15, 2020
- Period: 3 years
- Basic Expiry: June 15, 2023

#### COVID-19 Extension
The Supreme Court in *Cognizance for Extension* extended limitation by 531 days for the period March 15, 2020 to October 2, 2021. Since the limitation period in this case expired on June 15, 2023 (after the COVID extension ended), but was running during the extension period, the full 531-day extension applies.

- Basic Expiry: June 15, 2023
- COVID Extension: + 531 days
- Final Deadline: November 28, 2024

#### Conclusion on Limitation
The suit filed on November 28, 2024 is **on the last day** of the extended limitation period and is therefore within time under Section 3 of the Limitation Act, 1963.

### 5.2 [Additional analysis sections as needed]

---

## 6. CONCLUSION

[Definitive conclusion with legal basis]

Example:
Based on the foregoing analysis, I conclude that:

1. **Limitation**: The suit for specific performance is within the limitation period prescribed under Article 54 of the Limitation Act, 1963, as extended by the Supreme Court COVID-19 order. The final deadline is November 28, 2024.

2. **Maintainability**: Subject to compliance with other procedural requirements, the suit is maintainable.

3. **Recommendation**: Given that the suit is being filed on the final day of limitation, immediate filing is critical to avoid dismissal under Section 3 of the Limitation Act.

---

## 7. QUALIFICATIONS & ASSUMPTIONS

[State any assumptions made or qualifications to opinion]

Example:
This opinion is based on the following assumptions:
1. All facts provided are accurate and complete
2. No prior litigation between parties on same subject matter
3. No fraud, misrepresentation, or mistake alleged (which could alter limitation under Section 17)
4. Plaintiff has clean hands and is ready and willing to perform

---

## 8. REFERENCES

[List all authorities cited]

**Statutes**:
- Limitation Act, 1963
- Specific Relief Act, 1963 (as amended 2018)

**Cases**:
- Cognizance for Extension of Limitation Period – COVID-19 v. Union of India, Miscellaneous Application No. 21 of 2022 in Suo Motu Writ Petition (Civil) No. 3/2020
- Basawaraj v. Land Acquisition Officer, AIR 2013 SC 3109

---

## LEGAL DISCLAIMER

**This opinion provides legal information and analysis based on Indian law as understood by the Claude Code - Indian Law Knowledge System. It does NOT constitute legal advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a qualified advocate enrolled with a Bar Council.**

**Key Limitations**:
1. This is an AI-generated analysis based on available legal information
2. Legal interpretations may vary; courts have final authority
3. Facts may change requiring different legal analysis
4. Recent developments may not be reflected
5. Jurisdiction-specific variations may apply

**Recommendations**:
- Consult a qualified advocate before taking any legal action
- Verify all statutory citations and case law independently
- Confirm current applicability of legal provisions
- Seek professional opinion for time-critical matters

**Liability Disclaimer**: No responsibility is assumed for actions taken based on this opinion. Users are solely responsible for verifying accuracy and seeking professional legal counsel.

---

**Opinion Version**: 1.0
**Generated**: [Date and Time]
**System**: Claude Code - Indian Law Knowledge Ecosystem v2.0

Opinion Components Explained

1. Question Presented

Purpose: Frame precise legal issue
Format: Single sentence question
Style: Neutral, not leading

Good Example:

Whether Section 10 of the Specific Relief Act, 1963 (as amended 2018) mandates specific performance or court retains discretion?

Poor Example:

Tell me about specific performance

2. Brief Answer

Length: 1-3 sentences max
Content: Direct answer + key legal basis
Style: Conclusive, not tentative

3. Facts

Relevance: Only material facts affecting legal analysis
Chronology: Present in time order
Neutrality: Objective presentation, no advocacy

4. Applicable Law

Hierarchy: Constitution → Statutes → Case Law
Citations: Full citation on first mention (use legal-citation-validator skill)
Relevance: Only directly applicable provisions

5. Analysis

Structure: Issue-by-issue or element-by-element
Depth: Detailed reasoning, not conclusions
Counter-Arguments: Address opposing views
Synthesis: Integrate statutes + case law

6. Conclusion

Definitiveness: Clear answer to question presented
Basis: Summarize key legal support
Recommendations: Practical next steps if appropriate

7. Qualifications

Assumptions: State what opinion assumes to be true
Limitations: Note scope of analysis
Caveats: Identify areas of uncertainty

8. References

Completeness: List ALL authorities cited
Format: Consistent citation style
Organization: By source type (statutes, cases, secondary)

9. Disclaimer

Mandatory: ALWAYS include
Comprehensive: Cover all limitation scenarios
Professional: Emphasize need for qualified counsel

Writing Style Guidelines

Tone

Professional: Formal legal language
Objective: Neutral analysis, not advocacy
Precise: Exact legal terminology
Clear: Avoid unnecessary jargon

Language Rules

Use "shall" for mandatory provisions
Use "may" for discretionary provisions
Avoid contractions (don't → do not)
Use present tense for legal principles
Use past tense for facts
Use "I conclude" not "I think" or "I believe"

Formatting

Headings: Numbered, hierarchical
Lists: Numbered for steps, bullet for items
Emphasis: Bold for case names, italics for emphasis
Citations: Inline with proper punctuation

Integration

With Skills

legal-citation-validator: Validate all citations before finalizing
legal-research-assistant: Research authorities cited
limitation-calculator: For time-sensitive opinions

With Agents

All specialized agents use this format for formal outputs
Master orchestrator invokes for comprehensive responses

With Commands

/legal-opinion <question> triggers this skill

Templates by Opinion Type

Refer to @references/opinion-templates.md for:

Contractual interpretation opinion
Constitutional law opinion
Litigation viability opinion
Compliance opinion
Transactional opinion

Refer to @assets/opinion-templates/ for pre-formatted templates

Quality Checklist

Before finalizing opinion:

Tools Required

This skill uses:

Read: Access templates and references
Write: Draft opinion document
legal-citation-validator: Validate citations

Disclaimer

This skill provides opinion drafting guidance following Indian legal practice standards. It does not constitute legal advice. All opinions generated must:

Include mandatory legal disclaimer
Be reviewed by qualified advocates
Not be relied upon without professional verification
State limitations explicitly

REMEMBER: Every legal opinion MUST include clear disclaimer that it is NOT legal advice and professional consultation is required.

Skill Version: 1.0.0 Last Updated: 2025-12-05 Part of: Indian Law Knowledge Ecosystem Dependencies: legal-citation-validator Critical Requirement: MANDATORY LEGAL DISCLAIMER

legal-opinion-drafter