Reducing Contract Complexity through Visualization - A Multi-level Challenge

Abstract

In today's networked economy, contracts are everywhere. Most contracts are complex, as is the business they describe. Contracts are not easy to read, and their misinterpretation can cause expensive disputes between the parties. Recent research suggests an alternative to contracts written in legalese, by harnessing the benefits brought by plain language and plain design. Clarity and user-friendliness present a challenge on multiple levels: the contract as artefact, the cognitive capabilities of the readers, and the different contexts in which the contract may be used. This paper focuses on the artefact level. Using recent examples of contract visualization, we investigate ways in which text and images can work together to address the needs of different readers and help them use contracts to secure successful business outcomes.