Arceo 2018

Introduction to Law Parts of a Trial Court Decision

1. Caption and Title
How to Digest a Case a. Caption
1. facts i. Name of the Court (e.g.
a. coherent story Regional)
b. details ii. Title of the Action (e.g.
c. straightforward Complant for Collection of
2. issue Sum of Money)
a. typically the arguments of the iii. Docket number (e.g. G.R. No.
petitioner 17171717)
b. often repeated b. Title
c. usually multiple but take note of the i. Names of all parties and
topic that is focused on for the case respective participation
(relevant) 2. Introduction (optional)
3. ruling/ratio 3. Statement of the Case
a. Civil Cases
Procedural Aspects i. Collection
 Type - certiorari, prohibition, damages ii. Eject
 Dispositive Portion - wherefore

Terms to Remember
 Plaintiff - the complainant/ person who files
the suit
 Defendant - the one against whom the case
is filed
 Petitioner - the plaintiff in a special civil
action
 Respondent - the defendant in a special civil
action
 Appellant - the one who appeals the case to
a higher tribunal (may be the plaintiff or the
defendant)
 Appellee - the one whom the case is
appealed
 Ponente - the one who writes the decision
 Amicus Curiae - means "friend of the court",
used when the ponente anonymous
 Ratio decidendi - principle of law which was
necessary for the court to come to its
decision
 Obiter dicta- other things the judge says
which were of interest but were not
necessary for the court to come to its
decision

The Four C's of Effective Decision-Writing

An Introduction for Newly-Appointed Judges