Law School 101: Tips on How to Effectively Write Case Digests

By: Archiebald Faller Capila

Bar 101: Tips on How to Effectively Write Case Digests

Know the syllabus first

If the professor did not give a syllabus, take a look at the prescribed textbook of your professor
and look at the Table of Contents of the same. More often than not, this will point out the
specific topic or the most relevant topic to which the case is assigned. If there are multiple topics
in which the case is designated, jot them all down and compare the same to where you are with
respect to the discussion and recitations of the professor. In that way, you will know if whether
your topics are behind or ahead. This is the first thing you should do before engaging in the next
steps of writing a digest.

Read the full-text of the case

One of the misconceptions in reading the full-text of the case is that one needs to understand the
whole of the text. This is not entirely true. As mentioned, a case decided by the Supreme Court
has a multitude of topics that are discussed exhaustively. From substantive to procedural aspects,
these topics are more often than not taxing and text-heavy.

Go back to tip number one and know the syllabus. If you know the topic which is related to the
case you are studying, then it is now easy to read through the text of the case. In reading the full-
text, it is not necessary that you memorize word for word the pronouncement of the Supreme
Court. What is important is that you are able to single out specific facts, issues, and ruling that
are related to the topics assigned for you to read.

Upon knowing the issue which you are assigned to read, it will already be easy to spot the proper
facts and issues of the case. Understanding the full text before proceeding with writing the digest
is important for you to retain the proper knowledge and wisdom behind the decision.

In short, do not rush into writing the digest. Understand first the topics of the case assigned so
you can write your case digest effectively and efficiently. Accordingly, you will be able to retain
in full what you have read and what you will eventually write. It will help you better understand
your reading assignments as well.

Divide your digest into three parts

There are only three important parts in a case digest: the FACTS, the ISSUE, and the
RULING. Upon knowing the topic you are looking for, you must be able to pinpoint these three
elements in what you are reading. Remember that you must only write the relevant details
pertaining to the assigned topic.

For the FACTS, you must take into consideration the pertinent discussions of the Court.
Irrelevant and minute details should be dispensed with. Only write or type those which are
important under your assigned topic. Backstories are not necessary UNLESS they are relatively
connected to the outcome of the case. For the ISSUE, check on whether or not the topic of the
case assigned is under a substantive or procedural discussion. Remember that the Supreme Court
discusses these two aspects of a case. If the subject in which the case is assigned focuses on the
substantive aspect of the law, then the issue of the case digest must focus on the same. If the
subject in which the case is assigned focuses on the procedural aspect of the law, then the issue
of the case digest must focus on the same. Do not include in your case digest issues not related to
the topic. For the RULING, answer the issue you posited in the case digest.

For example, the issue is “Whether or not X is an employee of Y”

The decision or ruling should only discuss that issue. In answering the same, you must point out
the elements of an employer-employee relationship, the relevant facts of the case, and the
explanation of the Supreme Court in ruling the same. You do not have to include other
circumstances not related to the issue you just wrote or included.

Avoid including irrelevant details

The essence of a case digest is that it is a shortened version of the actual decision. Refrain from
including in your case digest irrelevant details such as the history of the case, backgrounders on
the topics at hand, and matters not related to the main issue of the case.

A case digest is only effective if it summarizes the FACTS, ISSUES, and the RULING. By
including irrelevant details, you will be destroying the purpose of a case digest which is to put
into perspective the most important facets of the case assigned. The point of a case digest is to
present in a concise manner what the case is all about and what should eventually be highlighted
for a particular topic. Unless required by a professor, a law student should refrain from including
in his work unnecessary words which would not only lengthen the digest but make it ineffective
as well

Don’t change the text of the case

One of the common misconceptions in writing a digest is paraphrasing the decision. One must
remember that the text of the case is binding. One misplaced word could change the very essence
of the decision. Remember to write in verbatim what you want to include in your digest. Don’t
take shortcuts. Don’t change the wordings of the Court.

In several cases decided by the Court, it was held that what is binding is not only the thought of
the Supreme Court but the words written as well. If a law student tries to change or inadvertently
deletes or adds a word, he or she is already committing a mistake. The word of the Supreme
Court must be quoted as is where is every time there arises an opportunity to do so. In case
digests, considering that these are shortened versions of the full-text decision, they must mirror
the words the Supreme Court used.

One wrong word or punctuation mark could lead to an entire change in the decision. As
discussed in several cases of Statutory Construction, these minute but important details must be
given due attention so as to avoid altering what the Supreme Court means to discuss in a
particular topic of the case.

Limit it to one or two pages

As mentioned earlier, the essence of writing a case digest is to shorten the actual decision of the
Court. It would be contrary to the essence if you will be writing or producing a case digest with a
lot of pages. Limiting your work to one or two pages would be appropriate not only for the
professor reading your work but for you as well.

Do not listen to those who are saying that the longer the digest, the better. The essence of a case
digest is to mirror the Supreme Court’s words as short as possible, without sacrificing the
integrity of the case. If you really followed the steps mentioned before this last tip, then you will
be able to streamline your reading assignment in a manner that it would not exceed two pages.

A better understanding of the case would lead to a short but effective case digest.

These are just some of the basic tips on how to effectively write a case digest. To all those law
students who will be applying this strategy, may you all be able to grasp the essence of our
means, and may this help you in your journey to become a lawyer.

How to digest a case or brief a case

Paulo Castil y Alvero vs the People, GR No. El 253930
The process:
1. Read the whole case.
2. Get the relevance, key ingredients, facts needed/ required for the particular subject.
3. Title: Last Name and People (
4. Put the GR. No, and the date (Recent one)
5. Issue: relevant needed in particular subject - FACTS
Sample:
a. Petitioner’s Warrantless arrest and subsequent warrantless search are valid.
NB. Put the issue that is only needed for the subject matter (eg. criminal procedure and
constitutional under ra char)
b. Validity of the search warrant
C. Validity of the conviction of the accused for the illegal possession of firearms
- Admissibility of the accused without having the permit
6. Issue: Whether or not the warrantless search in the accused valid?
7. RULING
Questions:
1. What is the ruling all about? Wha are its contents.
2.