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Law vocabulary · Legal Writing & Drafting

Draw up

Meaning in law, with examples

phrasal verbCommon term

In law, draw up means: To prepare a formal written document, such as a contract, a will or a list, usually carefully and in its complete form.

In Turkish: hazırlamak, düzenlemek, kaleme almak

How it is used

Common in client conversations and everyday legal English: 'draw up a contract', 'draw up a will', 'draw up a list of issues'. It sounds slightly less technical than 'draft'. Past forms: drew up, drawn up.

Example sentences

  1. We can draw up a simple partnership agreement for you this week.

  2. The will was drawn up by a solicitor in 2015 and has never been changed.

Common collocations

  • draw up a contract
  • draw up a will
  • draw up a list
  • draw up terms
  • draftTo write a legal document such as a contract, letter or court submission, usually as a first version that others will review and change.
  • contractAn agreement between two or more parties that the law will enforce, setting out what each side must do or give.
  • clauseA numbered section of a contract or other legal document that deals with one particular point, such as payment, termination or confidentiality.
  • solicitorIn England, Wales and some other countries, a lawyer who advises clients directly, prepares documents and runs cases, but usually does not argue in the higher courts.

More terms: Legal Writing & Drafting

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.