Part of a Case Digest Manifestation of your understanding and analysis on

the decision of Supreme Court.

Facts
HOW TO DIGEST
Chronological arrangement of the relevant events Focus only on one issue
in the case. Be specific with the issue
Who are the parties involved.
Why the case was filed (the disputes) ISSUE- must not be complex and it would be easily
How the case reached the SC solved.

Issues LEGAL RESEARCH

What issues did the Supreme Court resolved.
All issues should be identified.
In a question form.
Limit to the subject, principle or topic for which the
case is assigned.
There can be more than one issue.
Ruling
How did the Supreme Court decide each and every
issue previously identified.
What are the laws cited and how are they related
to the facts of the case.
The ruling provides the answer to the question asked
in the issue statement.
The ruling is supported by the court’s reasoning
explaining and supporting the court’s decision.
CASE DIGEST
Serve as reference in class and for class review.
Shorten versions for future use.
-search for an authority (law) that can be applied to
a given set of facts.
-identifying and retrieving information necessary to
support legal decision making.
-application of law to facts to be able to have
conclusion
LEGAL RESEARCH vs. OTHER
-use of different technique for different kind of
source.
-requires comprehensiveness in primary authority
research
PURPOSE
- Provide competent representation and advice
*Facts and authorities- main basis in Law
PLAN OF ATTACK CONTINUING REQUIREMENTS
-process of legal research Good Moral Character vs. Good reputation
-What a person really is- Opinion of others
INFLUENCES OF LEGAL ETHICS ON LEGAL RESEARCH CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
-protects the ends of justice MUST BE PREPARED
-does honor to the bar - Preparation of pleadings and appearance on
-maintains the respect of the community for the courts
legal profession
CANON 13
COMPETENT LAWYER -A lawyer shall rely upon the merits of his cause and
-protects the ends of justice refrain from any impropriety which tends to
-does honor to the BAR influence, or gives the appearance of influencing
-maintains the respect of the community the court.
ART III, SEC 1. Phil. Constitution *Impropriety includes extending extraordinary
-NO person shall be deprived of life, liberty and attention or hospitality to a judge.
property without due process. Seeking opportunity for cultivating familiarity
Making statements in the media regarding a
LAWYER pending case tending to arouse public opinions for
As a prosecutor, defense counsel, advocate, or against.
arbitrator, jurist
RULE 15.05
QUALIFICATIONS FOR BAR -A lawyer when advising his client, shall give a
candid and honest opinion on the merits and
-citizen of the Philippines probable results of the client's case, neither
- 21 years old overstating nor understating the prospects of the
- Of a Good Moral Character case.
-No charge involving moral turpitude
-Studied law CANON 17
- Completed in an authorized University a Bachelor’s - a lawyer owes fidelity to the cause of his client and
Degree in Arts or Science he shall be mindful of the trust and confidence
reposed in him.
CANON 18
- A lawyer serve his client with competence and
diligence.

RULE 18.02
- A lawyer shall not handle any legal matter without
adequate preparation.

RULE 18.03
- A lawyer shall not neglect a legal matter entrusted
to him, and his negligence in connection therewith
shall render him liable.
*Inadequate Preparation- distracts administration of
justice and discredits the BAR.
- court may be and often misled into looking at the
case in an uneven light.

RULE 10.02
-A lawyer shall not knowingly misquote or
misrepresent the contents of a paper, the language
or the argument of opposing counsel, or the text of
a decision or authority, or knowingly cite as law a
provision already rendered inoperative by repeal or
amendment, or assert as a fact that which has not
been proved.