Case briefing is the cornerstone of legal education. Learn efficient techniques to prepare for class and build exam outlines.
Why Brief Cases?
Case briefing serves multiple purposes: class preparation, exam outlines, and developing legal analysis skills.
The IRAC Framework
Issue: What legal question does the case address?
Rule: What legal principle applies?
Analysis/Application: How did the court apply the rule?
Conclusion: What was the holding?
Efficient Reading Strategies
- Skim before deep reading
- Focus on facts, holding, and reasoning
- Skip lengthy procedural history unless relevant
- Note concurrences/dissents if they highlight key issues
Creating Your Brief
Essential elements:
- Case name and citation
- Facts (1-3 sentences)
- Procedural posture
- Issue(s)
- Holding
- Reasoning (most important!)
- Rule of law
Example brief format:
Case: Hawkins v. McGee (1929)
Facts: Doctor promised boy a "perfect hand" but surgery made it worse.
Issue: Is doctor's statement a warranty creating liability?
Holding: Yes, statement constitutes an express warranty.
Reasoning: Doctor's promise went beyond opinion to guarantee a result.
Rule: Express warranties by doctors can create contractual liability.
Time-Saving Tips
- Use templates
- Brief during reading, not after
- Color-code your highlighting
- Type vs. handwrite (whichever works for you)
- Share briefs with study group (but read first!)
Common Mistakes
- Overly detailed briefs (15+ pages per case)
- Copying language without understanding
- Ignoring policy considerations
- Not connecting cases to course themes
From Briefs to Outlines
Your case briefs become building blocks for course outlines. Group cases by legal rule and synthesize the doctrine.
