Reading law cases is one of the most important skills every law student must develop. Whether you are preparing for judiciary exams, moot courts, internships, or semester exams, your ability to understand judgments deeply will determine your success.
But many students read cases without knowing what exactly they should look for.
So here is a simple 7-step framework that will completely change the way you read judgments.
1. What Is the Background of the Case?
Before jumping into legal arguments, first understand the context.
Ask yourself:
Where did the dispute begin?
Was it a civil case, criminal case, or constitutional matter?
What social or political circumstances existed at that time?
Which court delivered the judgment?
Understanding background gives meaning to the entire decision. Many landmark judgments cannot be understood without knowing their historical and social setting.
For example, constitutional cases often reflect the political climate of that period.
Without context, you are just reading words — not law.
2. What Are the Facts of the Case?
Facts are the foundation of every case.
While reading facts:
Identify the parties involved.
Understand who did what.
Note important dates.
Highlight legally relevant facts (ignore unnecessary storytelling).
Remember:
Courts do not decide abstract questions. They decide disputes based on specific facts.
A small change in fact can change the entire outcome of a case.
So read facts carefully and try to visualize the situation clearly.
3. What Is the Legal Question? (Issue)
After understanding facts, identify the legal issue.
The issue is the central question that the court must answer.
It usually starts with:
Whether…?
Does…?
Can…?
Is…?
For example:
Whether the law violates fundamental rights?
Whether the accused had criminal intention?
Whether the contract was valid?
If you cannot identify the issue, you cannot understand the judgment.
In exams, professors often frame questions based on the issue — not the story.
4. How Does the Court Answer It? (Holding)
The holding is the court’s final answer to the issue.
In simple terms:
Issue → Question
Holding → Answer
If the issue is: “Whether X law is constitutional?”
The holding will be: “Yes, it is constitutional.”
or
“No, it is unconstitutional.”
Holding tells you who won the case.
But remember — do not stop here. The real learning begins after this.
5. What Reasoning Supports the Court’s Decision?
This is the most important part.
The reasoning explains why the court decided in a particular way.
Here, the court:
Interprets statutes
Applies precedents
Examines constitutional provisions
Discusses policy considerations
Evaluates evidence
This reasoning becomes the ratio decidendi, which binds future courts.
While reading reasoning, ask:
Which precedent is being followed?
Is any precedent being overruled?
What principle is being established?
Judiciary exams especially focus on reasoning, not just outcomes.
6. Are There Any Separate Opinions?
Sometimes, judges disagree.
There may be:
Majority opinion
Concurring opinion
Dissenting opinion
A dissenting opinion does not decide the case — but it can influence future law.
Many famous legal principles began as dissenting opinions.
So never skip separate opinions. They improve your analytical thinking and show how law evolves.
7. How Does the Decision Fit with Other Cases?
Law develops gradually through precedents.
Ask yourself:
Does this case follow earlier decisions?
Does it overrule any case?
Does it expand an existing principle?
Does it create a new doctrine?
Try to connect cases topic-wise:
Natural Justice cases
Basic Structure cases
Criminal intention cases
Contract interpretation cases
When you start linking judgments together, you begin to see the larger structure of law.
That is when you truly start thinking like a lawyer — or a judge.
Final Advice for Law Students
When reading a case, do not rush.
Follow this simple order:
Background → Facts → Issue → Holding → Reasoning → Separate Opinions → Precedent Value
If you consistently practice this method:
Your answer writing will improve.
Your judiciary preparation will strengthen.
Your classroom participation will become sharper.
Your legal thinking will mature.
Reading cases is not about finishing pages.
It is about understanding principles.
And once you master this skill, law becomes much more interesting and powerful.
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Law student