A GUIDE TO CASE BRIEFS

I. CITATION 
     From what specific source is the case taken?
     Was the case reported, for example, in the U.S. Supreme Court
     Reports?  

II. THE FACTS

     A. Material  
          What materially happened?  
          Was there, for example, a collision on the high seas?  A
          dispute over territory?

     B. Legal
          From what legal circumstances did the case originate?  
          Did two states agree, for example, to submit their
          dispute to an arbitral tribunal?  Was an opinion sought
          from the I.C.J.?

III. LEGAL ISSUES

     A. Specific
          What specific legal questions does this case raise?
          For example, does the proximity of State A to Island B
          give State A a legal basis for making a territorial claim
          for Island B?

     B. General
          What more general legal questions does this case raise?
          For example, is "proximity" a legitimate basis for making
          a territorial claim for an island?

IV. THE HOLDING
     What decision was made?  That is, in support of which side did
     the court hold?  
     For example, in Missouri v. Holland, did the court decide in
     favor of "Missouri" or "Holland?"

V. LEGAL RATIONALE
     What legal reasoning informed the court's decision?  
     What rules of law, for example, did it apply?
     How did it interpret legal principles, documents?
     How did it construe the facts?

VI. QUESTIONS
     What existing legal questions, if any, are unresolved by this
     case?  
     What new questions, if any, does it raise?