The Case Method in Legal Education

Each doctrine has a history. In the case of law, Langdell has argued that students would be better educated if they were asked to draw their own conclusions about the meaning of judicial decisions. Case studies provide students with an overview of the main issue; background of the institution, industry and individuals involved; and the events that had led to the problem or decision. Faculty may assign questions prior to class to facilitate the students to focus on certain important issues. Principles of law are taught by making the students analyse abridgments of appellate cases in combination with the Socratic method