8.5 Writing on your own behalf or on behalf of an organisation
You can write your submission in your own name but, depending on the subject, it can sometimes be useful to write on behalf of an organisation (real or imaginary). If you are writing on behalf of an organisation, you will need to adopt a certain role or perspective, and think through the issues from that perspective. It is a vital skill, for lawyers and others, to be able to understand how to approach various issues from different perspectives. Thinking from different perspectives can also help you in the development of your own thinking about an issue, especially if, at the start, you are not sure what you think yourself.
Simply adopting a perspective will not, however, generate all your arguments and thoughts. Still less does it mean that your perspective should unduly limit what ideas, concepts and values you can bring to bear on the issues. Much hard thinking and careful arguing is still necessary, no matter what perspective you adopt, if you want to be persuasive. If you write as a representative of an organisation, you may assume that you have the authority to formulate and state that organisation’s policy position.
TIP: YOU DON’T HAVE TO BELIEVE WHAT YOU WRITE
With this type of writing you do not have to personally believe in it yourself. You are not representing your own opinion, but the perspective of the organisation you represent. This can free you up to explore new ideas that you might not personally hold. If you are not sure what you yourself believe with regard to a particular law reform issue, it can thus be easier to approach the task as a spokesperson for an organisation.
If you are representing an organisation, be clear which organisation it is. If you write ‘on behalf of’ a real organisation, you need to ensure that your submitted work does not appear to be a genuine document from that organisation. So, if you adopt the role of spokesperson or representative of an actual organisation or office, then you should make sure your submitted work cannot be mistaken for an actual submission. For example, you could state on the front cover or as a header that the document is fictional and prepared only for academic purposes. Discuss this with your teacher if in any doubt.
