top of page

CASE COMMENT FORMAT

Case Citation

  • Title: Full case name (e.g., Roe v. Wade).

  • Court: The court that decided the case.

  • Year: The year the decision was made.

  • Citation: Official case citation.

Introduction

  • Brief Overview: A concise summary of the case background.

  • Legal Issues: The primary legal questions or issues involved.

Facts of the Case

  • Parties Involved: Identify the plaintiff(s) and defendant(s).

  • Relevant Facts: Key facts and events that led to the legal dispute.

  • Procedural History: The case’s journey through the courts until reaching the current level.

Legal Issues

  • Issue Statements: Clearly formulate the legal issues or questions that the court needed to resolve.

  • Importance: Explain why these issues are significant.

Court’s Decision

  • Holding: The court’s decision on each legal issue.

  • Rationale: The reasoning and legal principles the court used to arrive at its decision.

Legal Reasoning

  • Majority Opinion: Summary of the majority opinion’s legal reasoning.

  • Dissenting/Concurring Opinions: Summary of any dissenting or concurring opinions, if applicable.

  • Statutes and Precedents: Key statutes and previous cases cited by the court in its decision.

Impact of the Case

  • Legal Precedent: How the decision affects future cases and legal principles.

  • Social and Political Impact: Broader implications of the decision on society and politics.

Personal Analysis

  • Critical Analysis: Your evaluation of the court’s decision and reasoning.

  • Strengths and Weaknesses: Highlight the strengths and weaknesses in the court’s argumentation.

  • Alternative Outcomes: Discuss any possible alternative outcomes and their potential implications.

Conclusion

  • Summary: Summarize the key points of the analysis.

  • Final Thoughts: Provide any final observations or thoughts on the case.

bottom of page