How to Write a Law Case Note: A UK Guide With Structure and Example
A good case note explains what the court decided and why it matters in a few hundred words. Here is a clear structure, with an example.
By TutorSuite Editorial Team · Published · 7 min read
A case note is one of the first pieces of writing law students are asked to produce, and one of the easiest to get wrong. The most common mistake is retelling the whole case. This guide gives a clear structure and an example using a famous case.
What a case note is
A case note, sometimes called a case comment, tells a reader what a court decided and why it matters. It is not a full essay. It explains the case briefly, then offers your view on the reasoning and its effect on the law.
A step-by-step structure
- Heading and citation. Give the case name, citation and court. For example: Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562 (HL).
- Facts. Include only the facts that matter to the legal issue. Two to four sentences is often enough.
- Procedural history. Say how the case reached this court, if it matters.
- Issue. State the legal question the court had to answer.
- Decision and reasoning. Explain what the court held and the ratio decidendi, which is the legal principle that decided the case.
- Analysis. Say whether the reasoning is convincing, what it leaves unclear, and how it fits with other cases or statutes.
- Significance. Explain how the case has been used or developed since.
A short example: Donoghue v Stevenson
This is only an outline to show the shape. Do not copy it into your own work.
- Facts: a woman drank ginger beer from an opaque bottle and found a decomposed snail in it. She became ill and sued the manufacturer, with whom she had no contract.
- Issue: could a manufacturer owe a duty of care to a consumer without a contract?
- Decision and ratio: the House of Lords held that a manufacturer can owe a duty of care to the ultimate consumer. Lord Atkin's neighbour principle asked who is so closely affected that you should have them in mind.
- Analysis: the principle was a major step in the modern law of negligence, but it was later refined to avoid unlimited liability.
Ratio and obiter: do not mix them up
The ratio decidendi is the reasoning needed to reach the decision, and it binds later courts. Obiter dicta are other comments made along the way. They can be persuasive but do not bind. Markers expect you to tell them apart.
Common mistakes
- Retelling the facts at length instead of focusing on the issue.
- Describing the decision without any critical comment.
- Citing the case incorrectly. Many law schools use OSCOLA, but check your handbook.
- Not checking whether later cases or statutes have changed the law.
For help with law assignments in general, see our law essay help.
Where TutorSuite fits
We can explain how to find the ratio, give feedback on your own case note and check your OSCOLA referencing. We do not give legal advice. TutorSuite is an academic support service, so we help you understand and improve your own work. Always follow your university's rules on what help you may use, and submit only work that is your own. Read our academic integrity page for details.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a case note be?
Many are between 500 and 1,500 words. Your assessment brief sets the limit.
What is the difference between a case note and a case comment?
The terms are often used for the same thing. A case comment may carry more analysis, so follow your module instructions.
What is the ratio decidendi?
It is the legal principle that was necessary for the court to reach its decision. It is the part of the judgment that creates binding precedent.
Do I need to read the whole judgment?
Yes, where you can. Headnotes help, but they are not the court's words, and your analysis should rest on the judgment itself.
Last checked October 2026. This is a study guide and not legal advice.