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How to read legal case reportsHow to read legal case reports(How to write case briefs)(How to write case briefs)
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1. Title of the case
e.g., Mary Cereghino, Appellant
v.
Mart J. Vershum, and
Janet Coffyn, Respondents
Supreme Court of Oregon,
In Banc
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(1) “ In Re Payne”---- no adversary parties, only one party in the case(2) “ Ex Parte Payne”---- the court procedure with only one party’s
participation(3) “United States v. Stevens”---- public prosecution (One party is State or
Federal Government Agency.)(4) “United States v. 45 Barrels of Whisky”---- action based on in rem or quasi in rem
jurisdiction
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2. Facts
(1) Parties
(2) Prior proceedings
(3) Theories of the parties
(4) The objectives of parties
(5) Legally significant facts and background facts
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(1)Parties
“Defendant-appellant-tortfeasor”
“Plaintiff-respondent-victim”
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(2) Prior proceedings
“Trial court found against the defendant;
Defendant appealed;
Court of appeals reversed the trial court’s decision;
And now this appeal is before the supreme court.”
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(3) Theories of the parties “Plaintiff’s claim: breach of contract; false
imprisonment Defendant’s defense (contention): lack of
consideration; consent”(4) The objectives of parties “getting specific performance; getting damages in the
amount of $55,000; getting acquitted”(5) Legally significant facts and background facts
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3. Legal issues• more than one• legal issues ≠ disputes of parties• issues of facts / issues of law relevant rules
4. Reasoning the application of those rules
the conclusion the court reached
• Macro-analysis• Micro-analysis
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• Macro-analysis A Reasoning Method: Syllogism --All void contracts have no legal force. (major premise) --All contracts against fairness doctrine are
void contracts. (minor premise) ∴All contracts against fairness doctrine have
no legal force. (conclusion) e.g., Tarbert Trading LTD v. Cometal, Inc
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Tarbert Trading LTD v. Cometal, Inc major premise: All illegal contracts are void and unenforceable.minor premise: The contract between Cometal and Tarbet for
sale of red beans is illegal (because an illegal certificate of origin is involved).
Conclusion: The contract between Cometal and Tarbet is illegal and void, and their disputes can’t be settled by the court.
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• Micro-analysis(1) parties’ different argumentations towards
“legal issue” judge’s attitudes / opinions towards their
argumentationsA. argumentation of parties: “claim”, “allege”,
“complaint”, “assert”, “contend”, “argue”, “urge”…
B. Opinions of judge: “I agree”, “I don’t think.’ …
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5. Holding: the last declaration
Memorandum opinion
concurring opinion
dissenting opinion
( affirmed, reversed, modified, vacated)
6. Comments (reaction)