why do lawyer shows use blue paper

by Francesca Heller DDS 5 min read

It's likely that blue was simply the color that contrasted best with yellow, and that is why the lines of legal pads are typically blue. The Margin One of the main distinguishing features of the legal pad is the fact that it has specific margins.

Full Answer

Why do lawyers use legal paper?

Legal paper is preferred by lawyers and others for anywhere that a contract would be written because the length of the paper is more conducive to incorporate lengthy details of contracts. This isn’t limited to the use of lawyers in Law firms but also extends to accounting, banking, real estate, and even hospitality.

Why do lawyers use white paper instead of bright paper?

The answer to this logical question is simple. Just like lawyers use legal pads as they are easier on the eyes than the allegedly bright white paper. So for professionals who have to read and write quite a lot, it makes sense to use something easier on the eyes.

Why are legal documents blue in color?

The tradition of associating legal documents with the color blue originated in England several hundred years ago. In the United States, it began in the 19th century when, in jurisdictions such as New York, the word blueback designated the blue cover of legal documents.

Why are the lines of legal pads typically blue?

Whether or not Thomas Holly was the one with the idea to include lines to separate sentences is something that we aren't sure of. It's likely that blue was simply the color that contrasted best with yellow, and that is why the lines of legal pads are typically blue.

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Why are legal documents blue backed?

The tradition of associating legal documents with the color blue originated in England several hundred years ago. In the United States, it began in the 19th century when, in jurisdictions such as New York, the word blueback designated the blue cover of legal documents.

What are blue papers?

The blue paper is the legal form that identifies the person, that this person has a mental illness, not a medical one, and that this illness puts them at significant risk to ones self or others that, they are in need of psychiatric evaluation and hospitalization.

What is a blue back in law?

A blueback is a piece of heavier and longer paper that is typically stapled to the back of legal documents. A blueback usually includes stock language relating to practicing law in a given jurisdiction and contains some information about a given case (and the document to which it is attached).

What kind of paper do lawyers use?

Again, when an attorney uses a high-quality paper to write a Will, user may give him most priority and judge as a professional who cares for others. Considering these aspects, the Will papers are now made of 100% cotton Testament Ledger, to give it finest quality and most durability.

What is a blue paper vs white paper?

White paper, usually capitalized, is more commonly used in Great Britain. The term probably came about to distinguish a report from a blue book. A blue book is a bound collection of official documents. While a blue book may contain a range of information, a white paper is narrowly focused.

What does Blue papering someone mean?

The slang term for the certification process that is used by both workers and patients in the mental health community is "blue paper." The form authorizing the involuntary commitment is blue, and the phrase is used liberally as a verb: "Gee, I hope they don't blue paper me." Slang adds a touch of drollness to a ...

What is a legal back?

Also called a blue back, a litigation back is a one-page document placed face out on the back of a document being filed or served in a New York state court. Litigation backs are customarily printed on colored paper. While there is no rule regarding what color paper to use, common practice is to use blue.

Why do lawyers write on yellow paper?

Most lawyers use yellow-colored writing pads because they have to deal with lots of documents, and the handwritten notes on yellow pads stand out among the pile of white-colored documents. The yellow color on paper pads is soothing to the eyes as the paper does not hurt the eyes under bright lights.

Why do legal pads exist?

Small legal pads and notepads help people in keeping track of tasks in chronological order, and it is very easy to access them when you are in a hurry and don't have access to wi-fi or the internet. Original work versus copies of documents are easily color-coded without any work.

Why do lawyers use so much paper?

Unlike other industries, law firms will have a difficult time when it comes to eliminating paper copies. Without paper, many of the important functions of a lawyer's work simply can't happen. Sure, electronic documents have their place.

What color was the legal pad?

While his pieces of paper weren't yellow, they were the origins of what became the legal pad. Whether or not Thomas Holly was the one with the idea to include lines to separate sentences is something that we aren't sure of. It's likely that blue was simply the color that contrasted best with yellow, and that is why the lines ...

Who has used a legal pad?

Artists like Jeff Tweedy, Jerry Seinfeld, and Jonathan Dee all s wear by the use of a legal pad. That means that some of the most valuable pieces of recent artwork were written and executed through the use of the legal pad. The show Seinfeld, the album Sky Blue Sky, even entire novels have been written on legal pads.

What are the margins on a legal pad?

The American Pad and Paper Company states that the margins of a typical legal pad include a 1.25-inch gap down the left side of the paper.

Why did the paper have yellow ink?

It also provided a background that contrasted very well with black ink, providing a professional feel. Another idea is that, because the papers were compiled mostly of scraps of varied paper, the yellow color was added to give the illusion that the sheets were one unified piece.

Why is yellow the color of the mind?

One hypothesis is that the color was chosen for those in the legal profession because it stimulated their creativity and mental capabilities.

Why do attorneys use blue?

Some attorneys, however. use colors other than blue for their legal covers to distinguish their documents from those of other attorneys. Today, many federal and state jurisdictions require the use of a blue document-cover to distinguish a particular type of document.

What is a blueback?

In the United States, it began in the 19th century when, in jurisdictions such as New York, the word blueback designated the blue cover of legal documents. Technically called a litigation back, the blueback is imprinted with the caption of the matter and includes several blank forms for proof of service, certification, and verification, ...

Does Blumbergs have a blue cover?

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for instance, requires a document called ”The Standard Blueback Contract” for services exceeding $19,100 but does not stipulate that it have a blue cover. Today, Blumberg’s provides blue covered envelopes as well as linen and manuscript covers for use in litigation and transactional documents.

What color are legal writing pads?

Therefore, lawyers started using custom legal pads with yellow colors, and such writing pads quickly became prevalent.

Why is yellow used in legal?

Therefore yellow was chosen for those in the legal profession because it stimulated their creativity and mental capabilities.

Why are paper pads yellow?

The yellow color on paper pads is soothing to the eyes as the paper does not hurt the eyes under bright lights. Small legal pads and notepads help people in keeping track of tasks in chronological order, and it is very easy to access them when you are in a hurry and don’t have access to wi-fi or the internet.

When were legal pads invented?

The legal pad was invented by a paper mill worker, 24-year-old Thomas Holley, in Holyoke, Massachusetts around 1888.

How many pages does a lawyer print per year?

It’s not hyperbole to say the law industry uses more paper than any other sector. Research shows that a single lawyer generates from 20,000 to 100,000 printed pages per year. At the upper end of that range, it means about 50 pages an hour.

Can a lawyer eliminate paper copies?

Without paper, many of the important functions of a lawyer’s work simply can't happen. Sure, electronic documents have their place. But if you're trying to save time and money, Managed Print Services is a better solution for your inevitable print requirements.

Is there room for error in law firms?

With paper so vital to the workflow and revenue of a law firm, there really isn’t a lot of room for error. That means there’s no room for broken printers, old temperamental printers, network glitches that interfere with printing or absent toner cartridges. All of those equal the same thing: lost productivity.

What to do if your lawyer doubts you?

Tell the Truth. If your lawyer doubts you in the consultation, or doesn't think you have a case, while that may change over time, getting over an initial disbelief is very hard. You have to prove your case. Your attorney is not your witness. They are your advocate - but you are responsible for coming up with proof.

Why do people hire lawyers?

Most people hired attorneys because they don't want to sit in court. Well, truth be told, neither do I. The difference between lawyer and client is that the lawyer expects it to take a long time and understands. The client typically thinks it's unjustified. So, your hard truth is that each case takes time. Be patient.

Why is credibility important in court?

Credibility is one of the most important things in this world - and most important in a courtroom. If you care enough only to wear sweats to the courthouse, then the judge will see that you don't care, and that will be reflected in their desire to help you, listen to you, and decide in your favor. Step it up.

What to say when a judge can see your boobs?

If the judge can see your boobs, he's not listening to your story. If I can see your boobs, then I know you didn't care enough about yourself to talk to an attorney. Dress like you are going to church. Credibility is one of the most important things in this world - and most important in a courtroom.

What happens if you don't pay your lawyer?

If you don't pay your lawyer on the day of trial, or however you have agreed to, then while he or she may be obligated by other ethical duties to do his/her best, they won't be motivated by sympathy for you, and it will show in court.

What to do if no one can confirm a story is true?

If no one can confirm that the story is true, you will at least need something external, such as a hard copy document, to prove your case. Be prepared.

Do lawyers need to take more cases?

Don' t forget that lawyers don't always need to take more cases. Yes, new clients are a great thing, but I don't want clients that will eat all my time and get no where fast. Your tip: keep your communication very simple and to the point.

What is a legal memorandum?

The legal memorandum will provide legal support, based on the facts of the case, for your argument that the summary judgment motion should be granted. Here we will cite relevant case law, statutes, etc. If you are asking the court for something, you will restate it, probably several times.

Do criminal defense attorneys have formbooks?

Criminal defense attorneys have formbooks that they use because all they have to do is put the State on notice that they will oppose the charges.

Why do lawyers use legal papers?

Legal paper is preferred by lawyers and others for anywhere that a contract would be written because the length of the paper is more conducive to incorporate lengthy details of contracts. This isn’t limited to the use of lawyers in Law firms but also extends to accounting, banking, real estate, and even hospitality.

What size was the paper in the paper mold?

According to one legend, during the time of Henry VIII, the paper was printed in 17″ x 22” sheets, this being the largest size of mold that papermakers could carry. These large sheets were known as foolscap with the dimensions of 8.5 x 14 inches, or 216 x 356 mm.

How long is a legal cap?

Eventually, by one way or another around the 1870s, a paper size called a legal cap or legal blank had emerged that was 8-1/2 inches wide and fluctuating in length from 13 to 16 inches long. Yet there seems to be a never-ending battle of letter vs. legal in the paper world.

When was the paper size first introduced?

Whatever the history, all standard paper sizes in the United States trace their origin to the Committee on the Simplification of Paper Sizes that was formed in the Bureau of Standards in 1921.

Does legal paper fit in a filing cabinet?

Legal paper as we discussed does not get along with printers, photocopiers, and fax machines.

THIS POST

The purpose of this post is to try and provide some insight into what we have learned, allowing you to take a breath, see some of the challenges you might face (and how to avoid some pitfalls). You can then decide if you want to start a journey to a more Paper-Lite Law Firm.

IT IS A JOURNEY

OK so if you want to stop using Paper-Files, you need to accept something you probably already know. There is no quick fix and it’s likely to be part of an overall transition across your firm, which will require the development of an existing software or the implementation of something new.

SPEAK TO YOUR PEOPLE

In order to understand what you need from a solution, what is right for your firm and your people, you first need to understand your requirements. If you do not invest time in this upfront you will become a rabbit in headlights.

TIME AND RESOURCE

Now here is the difficult one (and to be honest, the reason we are in business). The reality is that larger firms have more internal resource available (and technology support) within their firm to take on a project like this… and they still find it difficult!

NEXT STEPS

OK so there you have 3 things I’ve learned, which will hopefully help you. There is plenty more we could include, but I wanted to provide 3 key areas which should help you take a step back, and not feel defeated if you have not made the progress you desire in these areas.

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