Basics of Case Law
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University · LL.B. Semester 1
Unit I — Introduction to Case Law
| .Hierarchy of courts in India- Understanding what decisions make to Case Law · 2. Importance and relevance of Case Law in Common Law system · 3. The Doctrine of Stare Decisis · 4. The authority of precedents- ratio decidendi and obiter dicta
Unit II — Basic Principles underpinning Case Law
1. Circumstances destroying or weakening the binding force of precedent · 2. Do judges make law? · 3. Judicial reasoning
Unit III — Case Law Analysis
1. Citation · 2. Origin · 3. Constitution of the Bench · 4. Parties · 5. Index · 6. Lawyers · 7. Judges · 8. Judgment -Majority, Minority and Concurring · 9. Final Order/operative part of the judgment
Unit IV — Case Brief (Case Noting)- practical exercises
1. Importance of Briefing · 2. Finding and understanding the issues in the Case · i. Knowing the Facts · ii. Knowing the Law · 3. Understanding case brief with recent case laws
Unit V — Locating, reading and using case law- practical exercises
1. Case law resources- MANUPATRA, SCC, AIR · 2. Concept of Jurisdiction · 3. A decision as delivered and a decision as reported- Differences and usages · 4. Importance of a reliable case law report and using case law in argument- points to consider