Learning Case Law - for law students



A guide to learning cases for an exam;

1. Understand the Purpose:  Recognise that the goal of case law is to illustrate how legal principles are applied in real situations. Examiners want to see your ability to apply your knowledge effectively, not just memorise every case. It is not about memorising them all. Teaching cases to someone else will really help you engage and in turn you will be able to memorise them because they mean something to you- hence why I say teach.

2. Utilise the Case Brief Grid in my toolkit (my clients will have a toolkit): Within my toolkit, there is a case brief grid designed to help you organise your thoughts and summaries efficiently. This grid simplifies the briefing process and ensures you capture all essential components. Look at the key cases and know them well!

3. Identify Key Components: Focus on the essential elements of each case:

   - Case Title: Name of the case.

   - Facts: Brief summary of the relevant facts.

   - Issue: The legal question the case addresses.

   - Decision: The court’s decision on the issue.

   - Reasoning: The rationale behind the court’s decision.

4. Summarise Concisely: Write a brief summary that captures the essence of the case without unnecessary detail. Aim for clarity. 

5. Focus on Significance: Highlight why the case is important. Discuss its implications for legal principles and how it can be applied in future situations.

6. Practice Application: Engage in exercises where you apply the principles learned from the case to hypothetical scenarios. This will enhance your understanding and retention.

7. Review Regularly: Go over your case briefs frequently to reinforce your understanding and prepare for exams effectively.

If you are struggling with learning cases please do reach out so we can minimise the stress of this way before revision.

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