VOCABULARY

1) perfidy – to lie deliberately 8) inveterate – chronic, customary or habitual

2) obnubilate – to obscure 9) antidisestablishmentarianism – opposition to
3) obeisance – submission the separation of church & state

4) obtuse – blunt 10) accost – to approach or speak in a challenging

way
5) insipid – dull, tasteless
11) compendium – concise but comprehensive
6) kerfuffle – disturbance / noisy activity
summary of words
7) gargantuan – large or enormous

MISSPELLED WORDS
 liason > accommodate
 bureau > counterfeit
 embarrass > reminiscence
 privilege > definite

LEGAL OPINION / TRIAL MEMO

• Introduction (e.g. This query pertains to …[LO] )

- formalities
- e.g. This is an action for recovery under Article … of … Civil Code

• Facts - ascertain facts that are impt.; chronological order; get evidences (e.g. papers) & do not merely rely on
testimonies / estorya
(1) determine the legal dispute ( naay claim + naay denial

(2) Principal Issue/s (Translate dispute…)

Ex. Whether or not he failed to pay the contract (State all)

(3) Prayer (relief ; unsa ba jud ang gusto sa client buhaton?)

(4) Relevant Facts

• Issues
- Sub issues (write it in arguments)

• Arguments / Position (e.g. May position regarding the sale of the land in 1992 is valid because of … or according to
article)

(1) Grounds

(2) Law [ statues + jurisprudence ( cases applying statutes) + Administrative Issuances

Ex. Law (explain) » cite cases that applies the law you have cited

• Summary [Legal Opinion] / Conclusion [Memo] – write / state in one paragraph or sentence the conclusion
Ex. In sum, …

• Prayer (Relief sought) [Memo] – specify the particular acts (damages / compensation)  What you want the courts
to do.
 if legal opinion write this in the issue portion.
• Opinion (e.g. I therefore advice you to …settle…)

LEGAL WRITING
1) Pre – work ( facing the facts) – GAIA
a) Gather the facts (5Ws & 1H)
b) Analyze the facts – TARP rule
 Thing / subj. matter
Action (rights & violations) – claim & defense
Relief sought (prayer)
Parties, persons places
c) Identify the issues
d) Arrange the issues (from Threshold to impt.)

 IMPORTANT
 A. Main Issues
a. Sub – issue

 A wrong factual basis will naturally produce a wrong legal position

[ BEFORE RESEARCH: (1) Organize facts ; (2) Arrange the issues ]

2) Research (Cite cases starting 2010 - up [latest] )

a) Find the law
 Find What?
i. Consti. Law
ii. Statutory Law (RA, PD, BP, Commonwealth Act[CA], EO0
iii. Case Law (Jurisprudence)
iv. Administrative Law (IRR)

b) Read the law

c) Update the law

 IMPORTANT
 Background Reading (e.g. Annotated Books)
• Conventional / paper v CALR
• Primary v Secondary Sources
• Updated v Repealed
• Attribution v Plagiarism

3) Draf

4) Review & Edit

5) Final Output

BASIC STRUCTURE FOR LEGAL WRITING

1) Introductory Paragraph – gist; nature of the case (e.g. This is an action…)

2) Antecedents (Background) – facts of the case both from the opposing parties.
 2 form of presenting: (1) narrative ; (2) reportorial
 sometimes in outlines / bullets (technical)
 3) Issues (problem)

4) Arguments / Discussion – answering the problem

• per issue
• factual theory – imo conclusion ; theory of the case; mao ning nahitabo sa case
• Salient law ( + Jurisprudence) – nga mo apply
• conclusion / position – closing the issue

 FORMAT OF ARGUMENTS
1) Teasing Argument - open –ended; hanging
2) Factual & Legal Support
3) Conclusion / Position – the therefore part
 Concluding statement / paragraph
 Summarize the STAND
 before mag respectfully yours

5) Conclusion (position)

6) Relief Recommendation (legal Opinion) / Prayer (pleading) – oral arguments sa court

POST - WRITING ( Review & Editing)

(1) Formal Editing ( for typos, grammar, forms, punctuations & the likes)
(2) Substantive Editing (unsa ka mayo ang flow sa imo argument)

LEGAL OPINON - IFIAC

1) Heading & Introduction (e.g. letterhead)

2) Background Facts
3) Statement of Issues
4) Position & Arguments
5) Conclusion & Recommendation

MEMORANDUM – wrap – up kung unsay nahitabo sa case

1) Case/ Nature of Action

2) Facts
3) Issues / errors assigned / grounds relied upon
4) Discussion / arguments [ CLAC]
 Contention
Law
Analysis (e.g. In this case … then support by a jurisprudence)
Conclusion

5) Conclusion
6) Prayer (e.g. Wherefore…[last] and all other issues to be resolved by the Honorable Court)
 Use sub headings if taas