Loading...
 

Case Summary Tips

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!

Table of contents



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
Portions © 2006-2019 by Michael Risch, Some Rights Reserved | Copyright Notice| Legal Disclaimer