Semicolon series question

When using a semicolon to separate a series of items, if the final item is preceded with an 'and' does that 'and' need a comma?

Here is an example:

I'm thinking the comma is incorrect, but I keep seeing it, so I need an outside opinion here.

Thanks,
Kyle

 

I can't think of any reason for putting a comma there.

 

If it's just a bare list of items, unadorned with caveats or observations, then, like digitig, I can't see the point (but, good luck proving it's technically out of bounds).

If it is something more - and you don't indicate that it is, and I'm sure you know - then a comma could be justified on stylistic or other grounds. eg

....;a nice sharp chisel; and, if you care about the finish, some glass paper.

 

Nope, there is no clause following the listed items. I'm working on documents that have been pieced together from old boiler-plate, and I suspect that the error has been duplicated ad nauseum. I've been correcting it, but just wanted assurance from someone else that I wasn't crazy. I've fixed this on 4 different proposals over the last 2 days. It's all copy pasted I think.

 

This is the other version of it:

I swear, the author of this beast was NOT an English Major.

 

1. items shouldn't have been capitalized
2. neither number nor ) should be used unless the items are arranged vertically...
3. whole 'and' bit is a mess... and the 'and' isn't even needed, though one is often added after the penultimate item... may be a us vs uk usage issue..

here's how i'd have done it:

 

If it's arranged vertically, corporate house style where I work mandates capitals and a final "and" (or "or", if appropriate).

 

sorry, dig... i thought i'd made it clear enough that the #1 'shouldn't' only applied to the arrangement shown by the op... ditto for #3 re the 'and'...

also, house style does vary from house to house...