San Beda College of Law

2019 Centralized Bar Operations

Academic Operations Committee
GUIDELINES IN WRITING THE CASE DIGEST

Writing a case digest is like telling a story. It must clearly and effectively narrate the facts to help
the barrister understand and visualize what happened in the case. The facts, issues, and the
ruling must all be related to one another such that they form one cohesive story without any
irrelevant information.

Furthermore, the facts of the case digests are similar to the facts in an essay problem while the
issue is akin to the question in such problem. Hence, when a barrister reads the facts and the
issue in a case digest, he must be able to identify correctly, without looking, the decision of the
Supreme Court.

GENERAL FORMAT

 One page only

 Paper size: 8.5 inches x 11 inches (Letter)
 Margins: 1-inch on all sides
 Font face: Arial
 Font size: 11
 Alignment: Justified

CASE TITLE
CASE NUMBER; DATE
PONENTE

FACTS

 FIRST PARAGRAPH: “STATEMENT OF THE CASE” + STATEMENT OF THE PARTIES

 SECOND PARAGRAPH: STATEMENT OF THE FACTS
 THIRD AND FOURTH PARAGRAPHS: ARGUMENTS OF THE PARTIES

ISSUE/S

 Use close-ended questions which can be answered by a Yes or No.

 Issue should be clear, concise and specific.
 If there is only one issue, AVOID GENERAL QUESTIONS.

Political Law × Is the law  Was there a lawful subject so

constitutional? as to constitute a valid
exercise of police power?

Criminal Law × Is the accused guilty  Was there treachery to

of the crime of constitute murder?
murder?

Civil Law × Is the contract of sale  Was the property bought by

void? respondent lawyer from his
 San Beda College of Law
2019 Centralized Bar Operations
Academic Operations Committee
client the subject of litigation at
the time of purchase?

Legal Ethics × Is the respondent  Did the lawyer represent

administratively liable conflicting interests?
for the acts
complained of?

Taxation Law × Is the petitioner liable  Was petitioner’s property

for real property tax? actually, directly, and
exclusively used for religious
purpose so as to exempt it
from real property tax?

Commercial Law × Is the corporate act  Did the corporation have the
ultra vires? authority to operate funeral
services?

Labor Law × Is there a valid cause  Was the respondent’s habitual

for the dismissal of absenteeism a valid cause for
the employee? dismissal?

Remedial Law × Is the evidence  Is the extrajudicial admission

admissible? of the accused admissible as
evidence against him?

RULING

 FIRST PART: YES OR NO ANSWER

 SECOND PART: APPLICABLE LAW/DOCTRINE/RULE/PRINCIPLE
 THIRD PART: APPLICATION OF LAW/DOCTRINE/RULE/PRINCIPLE TO THE FACTS
 FOURTH PART: CONCLUSION

NOTE: Avoid offhandedly rephrasing the ruling of the court. The doctrine might be substantially
changed should you do so.