This page provides tips on both content and formatting of case citations.

NOTE: You should strongly consider drafting your summary in a word processor and then copying it in to the form. This will minimize the possibility of losing work due to network issues!

Format 

• Remember that you must also pick a category. If none exists, place it in the closest "Cases of Interest" category and let an administrator know that a new category should be created. You should not add to the WVU Classes category unless requested to do so.
• Titles should be in the form of

Plaintiff v Defendant (note no period)

• You should put a one sentence summary in the "description" field
• Be sure to give a full cite
• You should also include this tag, which adds a link to Lexis (just the page cite - leave the case title, year, and court out - a LEXIS cite would look like 2007 LEXIS 123456):

Lexis: ((lex:123 U.S. 456))

• You may attach a .pdf to the official slip opinion, but do not attach Lexis or Westlaw downloads
• You may also use the "Case Summary" Template provided in the wiki
• Many formatting options are available in the QuickTags area, and others are available in Wiki Help (below)

Substance 

• Case summaries usually include the following information:

1. Case Name
2. Case Cite
3. Facts of the case
4. Procedural Posture
5. Holding
6. Important Dicta
7. Likely future importance or unanswered questions
8. Critical Analysis

• You might include links to your favorite blog posts discussing the case