When legal knocks at the UX door

You've done your job.

You've talked to engineers about technical requirements and feasibility. Written the task list. Drawn the flowchart.

Now you're zooming in to design a screen that fits within that flow.

You have a clear, concise title that explains what's going on.

A subtitle that offers additional context but isn't essential, because you know people will skim.

And a call to action that's specific and pairs well with the title.

You think you're almost done when legal sweeps in with a 4-line disclaimer to be added as a footnote to your carefully crafted screen.

Legal needs in the UX

Here's how I react on the spot when I hear the news:

• Sob in a corner for a while
• Take a deep breath
• Accept my fate
• Move on with my life

You know the disclaimer will throw everything off balance. Dropping a long, jargon-filled paragraph onto your unsuspecting readers is likely to raise more questions than it answers.

But there's nothing you can do about it, right? After all, legal said we need to add it.

But here's what I want you to consider doing instead:

Push back. Challenge the decision.

It may seem like a lost cause, but sometimes it's worth giving it a shot.

Here are some ways you can respectfully seek a compromise that protects the user's interests—and the UX team's sanity.

Challenge the length

Legal texts tend to be wordy and long-winded to cover all bases. As UX writers, it's part of our job to extract the meaning and condense it into fewer words.

Take that paragraph and ask the legal team: what's the key obligation the user needs to fulfill here to keep using the product? Then, come up with a few shorter versions that preserve the core message. Work with legal to trim and refine the rest until you're left with only what truly needs to be there.

Avoid replicating the legal excerpt word for word as it appears in the official policy or agreement. See if you can provide a link to the full version instead. Collaborate with designers to present the link so it's accessible and usable, but not the dominant element on the screen.

If the full text must be shown, apply progressive disclosure principles to reduce cognitive load. Display a summary or lead with the main points, then include the rest in a collapsible section, using appropriate chunking to improve readability.

✍ Example:

Let's give it a go with this blanket marketing consent disclaimer:

[Company Name] needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about [our products and services]. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy.

Sounds like a mouthful, right? Imagine your users seeing that wall of text taking up precious screen real estate.

Here's a shorter version with professional, neutral language:

[Company Name] may use your contact details to keep you informed about [our products and services]. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read more in our Privacy Policy.

And here's another take, with a warmer and more approachable tone:

We use your contact info to send updates about [our products and services]. You can unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Replace [our products and services] with the specific product or service that applies to your context, and link to the privacy policy in a way that's clearly visible and accessible.

Compared to the original, these alternatives are already more digestible and easier to understand without losing the original meaning. Now you have something concrete to show the legal team and work toward common ground.

Challenge the language

Good content design uses clear, consistent and helpful language. When writing for product interfaces, we're addressing different types of people in different situations and states of mind. We focus on benefits, anticipate objections and give users the tools they need to make decisions and move forward.

This approach often clashes with the terminology, syntax and register used to convey complex legal concepts. Switching from one style to the other all of a sudden in the same screen feels jarring. It signals to users that whoever designed the experience wasn't thinking about their needs. It feels like someone just wanted to check the compliance box and call it a day.

Try explaining these points to the legal team. Help them understand how this choice of language impacts the bottom line. As with length, create several alternate versions of the text. Keep them plain, concise and in the same tone of voice you use across the product. Then bring your options back to legal to review and refine together.

✍ Example:

Let's see a typical medical disclaimer:

This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a licensed professional for guidance tailored to your situation.

Here's a version that feels more reassuring and empathetic:

This content is meant to inform, not to replace medical advice. If you have questions about your situation, it's best to speak with a licensed professional who can support you directly.

And a shorter, softer one:

This is general guidance, not medical advice. For help with your situation, talk to a licensed professional you trust.

Challenge the placement

You can also test different placements for the disclaimer on the same screen, but don't stop there. See if the message could be shown at a different stage in the flow or marketing funnel, where it might feel more natural and less overwhelming.

✍ Example:

If the user is signing into the product and setting up their account, they'll likely need to read and agree to the company's terms and privacy policy before proceeding. You probably won't have much flexibility there—it's a required step in a logical place.

But if the disclaimer just repeats or rephrases something that's already been said and the user doesn't need to take explicit action, you might be able to propose a different placement or presentation that's less intrusive.

Challenge the necessity

Legal teams may be in the habit of defaulting to over-disclosure, but not every disclaimer needs to live on the screen. Before making space for it, ask whether it's required at all. If there's no obligation to show the message, suggest leaving it out altogether and documenting the rationale.

Wrapping up

Digital product compliance is complex, and lawyers work hard to make sure everything is up to par. Without them, companies literally wouldn't get off the ground. Their role is crucial and invaluable.

Legal and UX can end up speaking very different languages, though. But that doesn't mean we should keep drifting apart.

Don't ignore the impact of legal writing on your product, and don't assume your voice won't be heard as a content designer. Sometimes UX people stay silent because they assume there's no seat at the table for them.

But you're uniquely positioned to represent users. Take the time to explain the implications of design and content decisions to those with a different background. Reach out to your colleagues in legal, suggest solutions proactively, and listen to their advice. That will put your name on the map and help UX gain more influence and impact within the company.