brief a case

How to Brief a Case

Understanding the components of case law and articulating the contents of a case to a ‘case brief’ allows you to reduce a case to its essential components – what the case is about and what it means in terms of the law.

For case briefs that are assigned to you during this course, please use the following format:

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Case Number and Citation: include the name of the case, the year decided, the court that heard the case

Facts: a brief recitation of the relevant facts (in your own words) that give rise to the dispute. Please include any relevant statue or legal rule and a lower court’s decision if applicable.

Plaintiff and Defendant Arguments: outline the complaint of the plaintiff and defendant and any defenses raised

Issue: what is the essential issue before the course (the question the court must answer); phrase in a form of a question (e.g. does U.S. anti-discrimination law apply to U.S.-based businesses operating outside of the U.S.?)

Answer: a simple answer to the question (e.g. yes, U.S. anti-discrimination law applies to extraterritorially)

Rule: explain the legal reason provided by the court for its decision; note any law relied upon

Decision: who won; what was the remedy