A new study sheds light on why laws are often written in an incomprehensible style. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago Law School, found that lawyers who draft laws are more likely to use complex language when they are feeling insecure about their own legal knowledge.

The researchers recruited a group of law students and asked them to draft a law on a topic of their choice. The students were then given feedback on their drafts by a group of experienced lawyers. The researchers found that the students who received negative feedback were more likely to use complex language in their revised drafts.

The researchers say that their findings help to explain why laws are often so difficult to understand. When lawyers are feeling insecure about their own legal knowledge, they are more likely to use complex language in order to make themselves sound more authoritative. This can make it difficult for people to understand the laws that they are supposed to follow.

The researchers suggest that there are a number of things that can be done to make laws more understandable. One approach is to provide lawyers with more training in plain language writing. Another approach is to encourage lawyers to get feedback on their drafts from non-lawyers. Finally, the researchers suggest that laws should be written in a more collaborative way, involving input from a variety of stakeholders.

By making laws more understandable, we can help to ensure that people are able to understand and comply with the laws that they are supposed to follow. This can lead to a more just and equitable society.