2010

Phil Knight retired from full-time legal practice at the end of December and at the same time stepped down from Clarity’s committee, of which he had been a member since 1997. For some of that time he was variously editor of the journal and our Canadian representative. 

After a judicial clerkship for the Manitoba Court of Appeal and on qualifying as a solicitor and barrister in 1983, Phil spent two years in private practice before moving into legal education. In the early 1990s, as director of the Plain Language Institute of British Columbia, he organised a memorable conference on plain legal language — then a novelty — which attracted from around the world a large number of Clarity members and others. He has remained a part-time educator, on the faculties of various universities, but for the last 15 years has specialised in legislative drafting as a private consultant. In that capacity he played a major role in drafting the South African constitution and has drafted consitutions and substantial legislation for many other nations. He is continuing this work part-time.

Phil’s arguments, views, and suggestions are often original, though sometimes uncomfortable and occasionally robust. Recently, many of us disagreed with his strong belief that the proposed professional standard for plain language writers was misconceived in principle (because creative writing is not to be trammelled) and that Clarity should withdraw from the project. His thoughtful unorthodoxy has made him a unique and valuable member of the committee, and we will all miss his challenges.