Memorising case law is a key challenge for UK law students. With countless judgments and legal principles to recall, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, using the right strategies, you can efficiently retain and apply case law in exams. Here’s how:
Understand the case, don’t just memorise
Rather than simply trying to recall names and rulings, focus on:
- The facts – What happened?
- The legal issue – What was in dispute?
- The ruling – What did the court decide?
- The principle – What precedent did the case establish?
Example: Donoghue v Stevenson (1932) – A decomposed snail in a ginger beer bottle led to the creation of the modern law of negligence. Understanding the story makes it much easier to remember than just memorizing the case name.
Create a storyline for each case
Instead of using traditional mnemonics, turn cases into mini-stories or real-life scenarios in your mind. This technique, known as “narrative memory,” helps your brain store information more effectively.
For example, in R v Cunningham (1957) (which established recklessness in criminal law), imagine a person recklessly pulling a gas meter off a wall to steal money, poisoning people nearby. A vivid mental image will make the case more memorable than just reading notes.
You can even imagine a courtroom drama where judges debate the case, reinforcing the legal principles through visualization.
Make case summaries and flashcards
Summarize each case in a concise format, including:
- Case name
- Key facts
- Principle established
Use flashcard apps like Anki or Quizlet to quiz yourself. If using physical flashcards, write the case on one side and the ruling on the other.
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Group cases by topic and theme
Instead of memorizing cases in isolation, organize them under legal principles:
- Tort Law: Donoghue v Stevenson, Caparo v Dickman
- Contract Law: Carlill v Carbolic Smoke Ball Co., Partridge v Crittenden
- Criminal Law: R v Cunningham, R v G and R
This helps create connections between cases, making recall easier.
Use mind maps and diagrams
If you’re a visual learner, create mind maps linking cases under key topics. Example:
Judicial Precedent → Binding Precedent (Young v Bristol Aeroplane Co Ltd) → Persuasive Precedent (R v R)
Flowcharts showing the development of legal principles can also strengthen memory.
Apply the cases in practice questions
Memorization isn’t enough—you need to apply case law correctly.
- Practice writing exam answers that incorporate case law.
- Summarize case outcomes in your own words to reinforce understanding.
- Use past papers to see how cases are applied in real exam questions.
Teach someone else
Explaining cases to a friend or study group forces you to simplify complex information, which strengthens memory. If you don’t have a study partner, try recording yourself summarizing cases and play them back.
Use active recall and spaced repetition
- Instead of passively reading notes, actively test yourself:
- Cover your notes and try to recall key cases.
- Write down everything you remember about a case before checking your notes.
- Review cases regularly using spaced repetition (e.g., revisiting them every few days instead of cramming).
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