Does the plural include the singular?
There are a few issues that seem to be in play.
In most cases, a reference to plurals in rules also includes the singular. And vice versa.
In the event of errors, accommodation will be made.
While the plural is used, most readers would believe that this applied to a single error as well as multiple errors. Similarly
In the event of error, accommodation will be made.
It means the same thing.
Sometimes, to make clear that both singular and plural circumstances apply, parenthetical plurals are used.
In the event of error(s), accommodation will be made.
This makes it explicit that both singular and plural problems will be adjusted for.
I am not aware of a term that names this characteristic (or conundrum).
As you have suggested, this is a problem often faced in legal drafting (which you wish to avoid). To ensure clarity, many contracts say something that means "plural words can cover singular events and singular words can cover plural events."
To convey this simply you could say
Amendment shall be permitted only in cases of: 1. deletion of one or more claims 2. correction of one or more errors.
Your example also raises another issue. It lists two conditions:
- deletion of claims 2. correction of error
There is some ambiguity as to whether these conditions are conjunctive or disjunctive as written. Does it mean
when there is both 1. deletion of one or more claims AND 2. correction of one or more errors
or does it mean
when there is either 1. deletion of one or more claims OR 2. correction of one or more errors, BUT NOT BOTH
or does it mean
when there is either 1. deletion of one or more claims OR 2. correction of one or more errors, OR BOTH
You need to clarify whether you mean
- AND 2.
- BUT NOT 2.
- AND/OR 2.
Your co-worker is misinterpreting the statement.
The "error" is in the interpretation of the word error
Error can mean:
a mistake or inaccuracy
but it can also mean
the condition of deviating from accuracy or correctness
The first is countable the second is not. I believe the intention is to say, that amendments are only allowed in 2 situations, either when claims are being deleted or when the document is found to be in error (second definition above).
Of course as @tchrist says, only a lawyer can tell you whether he'd be willing to defend that interpretation.