Quezon City — In a continuing effort to strengthen the quality and clarity of its decisions, the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) conducted a hybrid lecture on Legal and Judicial Writing on May 27, 2025. The activity was participated in by Commissioners, Labor Arbiters, and Commission Attorneys from across the country.

The learning session aimed to sharpen the participants’ legal writing skills and reinforce best practices in decision-making within the NLRC’s quasi-judicial environment. This initiative is part of the Commission’s broader thrust toward improved adjudication and public service delivery.

Presiding Commissioner Victor C. Avecilla of the NLRC Third Division served as the resource speaker. Drawing from his extensive background in legal practice and writing, Commissioner Avecilla emphasized the importance of English proficiency in crafting legally sound and readable decisions.

“Even a decision that is just—if riddled with punctuation and spelling errors—will not be perceived as a correct decision,” Commissioner Avecilla asserted. He discussed key areas such as mastery of grammar, sentence composition, and the importance of coherence and precision in judicial writing.

Topics included basic English grammar, effective sentence structuring, and common pitfalls in legal writing. Commissioner Avecilla also gave practical tips on maintaining formality and objectivity in legal documents while ensuring they remain accessible and understandable to the parties involved.

The hybrid format of the lecture—combining in-person attendance and online participation—ensured wide accessibility across regional branches and satellite offices of the Commission.

NLRC Chairperson Grace E. Maniquiz-Tan lauded the initiative as an essential element of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional capacity. She emphasized that clear, well-reasoned, and error-free decisions are more than matters of form—they reflect the Commission’s commitment to fairness, professionalism, and public trust. She also encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained in their decision writing and to share what they had learned with their colleagues.

The NLRC plans to conduct similar workshops and continuing legal education activities in the coming months as part of its professional development program for adjudicators and legal staff.

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