Fundamental Research Skill:

Case Briefing &

Synthesis of Cases
a. Case Briefing
–Case digest or condensation of a reported case
 tool for course review
Reference in class
Keep it brief
Components of a Case Brief
1. Facts- describe the events between parties
- tell circumstance of case
- include relevant facts to the issue at hand
- reason for the decision and ruling
plaintiff and defendant
basis of suit
relief that plaintiff is seeking
2. Issue(s)
• question that the court must decide .
How to find the issue?
 identify the rule of law
ask how it should be applied to facts
3. Ruling
• court decision
• provides the answer to the question
• more than one issue, more than one holding
• Supported by reasoning and explanation
B. Exercise in Case Brief
C. Synthesizing Cases
Consider: (1) volume of cases
(2) precedents
(3) relevance
(4) resolve your problem by relating cases &
synthesis
D. Synthesis of all the cases
 Six cases of psychological incapacity