Letter of instruction

Letter of instruction in the literature has at least three contexts: legal context as testamentary letter or side letter , secondly it is used in transportation as shipper's letter of instruction (SLI) and also it is possible to create it for medical purposes .

Letter of instruction - legal perspective

In the literature letter of instruction is most often related to legal actions. In this context it is called also testamentary letter or side letter. It is an informal and private document. Letter of instruction is written by testator in order to accompany a will. It gives detailed information which is not part of will letter, but follows it. Such document can be addressed not only to the family, but also to the lawyer or bank. Crucial parts of the letter are:

• bonds,
• bank books,
• birth,
• check books,
• deeds,
• deposits,
• expression of last wishes,
• income tax returns,
• insurance policies,
• inventory of household,
• investment accounts,
• list of the names and addresses of people that should be notified,
• marriage certificates,
• military records,
• notarial acts,
• other essential financial documentation,
• shares certificates,
• stock certificates,
• titles,
• will.

Letter of instruction - transport perspective

Second meaning of letter of instruction is related to transport and then letter is called shipper's letter of instruction (SLI). Its goal is to convey instructions to freight forwarder about how and when export should be done, also to manifest the merchandise. It is letter used just before shipper's export declaration (SED). It should give the following information :

• booking number,
• cargo details,
• date of dispatching the shipment,
• description of merchandise,
• destination country,
• electronic export information,
• expiration dates,
• export licence,
• gross weight,
• hazardous materials,
• incoterms,
• insurance number,
• intermediate consignee,
• licence numbers,
• marks and other numbers,
• name and address of consignee,
• name and address of shipper,
• point of origin,
• shipment type (pallet or other),
• shipper's references,
• shipping instructions,
• tax numbers,
• total shipment value.

Examples of Letter of instruction

1. In academic research: A Letter of Instruction is a document provided by a researcher to a research participant or participants. It outlines the purpose of the research, the scope of the research, the expected outcomes of the research, and any other relevant information. This document is typically provided to participants as part of an informed consent process.
2. In business: A Letter of Instruction is a communication between two or more parties that outlines the instructions to be followed by those involved in a business transaction or arrangement. The letter typically provides details such as the parties involved, the terms of the agreement, the obligations and responsibilities of each party, and the timeline associated with the parties’ actions.
3. In law: A Letter of Instruction is a communication from a lawyer or other legal professional to a court or other legal body. This letter usually provides instructions for the court or legal body on how to proceed with a particular case or legal matter. It is typically written in a formal, legal style and outlines the facts of the case and the legal arguments that are being made in the matter.

Advantages of Letter of instruction

A letter of instruction is a document commonly used in legal and business contexts that provides instructions to the recipient regarding the disposition, delivery, or transfer of assets. It has several advantages, including:

• Clarity: A letter of instruction is a clear and concise way to communicate your wishes to the recipient. It eliminates any confusion or ambiguity that may arise from verbal instructions.
• Flexibility: Letters of instruction can be tailored to the specific needs of the situation. This allows you to provide instructions that are tailored to the specific situation, ensuring that your wishes are carried out accurately.
• Documentation: A letter of instruction provides written documentation of your instructions. This is especially important in legal contexts, where written documentation is often required. It also serves as a reference for future conversations or disputes.

Limitations of Letter of instruction

Letter of instruction has at least three distinct contexts in the literature: it can be used as a communication tool between legal agents, as an instruction for the executor of a will, and as a reference guide for a trustee. Each of these contexts has its own set of limitations.

• When used as a communication tool between legal agents, a letter of instruction may not be legally binding, and it may be difficult to enforce if the instructions are not followed.
• When used as an instruction for the executor of a will, a letter of instruction may be limited in scope and may be subject to dispute.
• When used as a reference guide for a trustee, a letter of instruction may be inadequate to provide the necessary guidance and may be too general to be of use.

Other approaches related to Letter of instruction

In the literature, the term 'Letter of Instruction' has at least three contexts. These include:

• The use of an instructional letter to inform an executor about important matters related to the deceased's estate. This letter may include details such as the location of important documents, desired funeral arrangements, and the contact information of trusted advisors.
• The use of a letter of instruction to provide direction and guidance to a trustee when managing the assets of a trust. This type of letter may outline investment strategies and other instructions for the trustee to follow.
• The use of a letter of instruction in a corporate context to provide guidance and direction to an employee or contractor in order to ensure that tasks are completed in a timely and satisfactory manner.

In summary, the term 'Letter of Instruction' may refer to a document used to provide guidance and direction to an executor, trustee, employee or contractor.

Footnotes

Letter of instruction — recommended articles

Letter of administration — Inchoate instrument — Consent order — Contract note — Bill of lading — Shipping note — Share certificate — Commissioner for oaths — Restrictive endorsement

References

• Brown, G. Myers S. (2008), Administration of Wills, Trusts, and Estate The West Legal Studies series, Cengage Learning
• Final letter of instruction , (access: 2019), PauleyFinancial
• McNicholas M. (2016), Maritime Security: An Introduction, Butterworth-Heinemann
• Shipper's Letter of instruction , (2015), DB Schenker
• Archives of disease in childhood , (1997), in "The Journal of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 1997, 76"
• Reynolds F. (2003), Managing Exports: Navigating the Complex Rules, Controls, Barriers, and Laws, John Wiley & Sons

Author: Weronika Włodarska, Anna Piechnik