SAMPLE CASE BRIEF FORMAT

HEADING

Caption/Citation

Parties

Date of decision

Place

Court

Casebook page

PROCEDURAL HISTORY: (who filed what; what action did the court(s) below take)

FACTS: (list only the facts that affected the court’s decision)

ISSUE(S) / QUESTION(S) PRESENTED: (what is the issue based on the case’s place in the course, in the
casebook, and where it appears on the syllabus)

HOLDING(S): (match the issue/question presented: what did the court decide? Include court’s order: (e.g., Motion
Denied, Affirmed, Remanded)

REASONING: (what were the court’s reasons for reaching the holding?)

Dicta (thoughts of the court beyond the holding as to the parties)

OTHER:

New information learned in class:

Your thoughts: (what questions, comments popped in your mind as you read the case?)