What do I do with Case Law?

Submitted by [user:field_first_name]

One argument style is to compare your case with another that has similar facts or is based on similar law.

You would then argue that:

Different Case = Different Result

  • The facts surrounding the issues in the case law are sufficiently different than the facts surrounding the issue in my case. 
  • So, this case law does not apply to my case. 
  • My case should be decided differently. 

Similar Case = Same Result 

  • The facts surrounding the issues in the case law are similar enough to the facts surrounding the issues in my case. 
  • So, this case law does apply to my case. 
  • My case should be decided similarly.

Extreme Difference = Same Result

  • The facts surrounding the issues in the case law are far worse/better/more complicated than the facts in my case. 
  • Because this case law was applied when given those extreme facts, it should easily be applied given the less extreme facts of my case. 
  • My case should be decided similarly.

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