Case System Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Case System, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Case System?

(n) Case system is the method of learning of law adopted in American law schools introduced by Christopher C. Langdell , in 1869 by which a particular rule of law is studied by studying the case that outline that particular part of law

History and Meaning of Case System

The Case System was introduced in American law schools by Christopher C. Langdell in 1869. This method of learning law involves studying specific cases in order to understand particular rules of law. Langdell believed that studying cases in this way would better prepare law students for practicing law by teaching them how to analyze and reason about legal principles.

Under this system, law students are given cases to read and analyze, and are then asked to apply the legal principles outlined in those cases to hypothetical situations. This approach helps students develop critical thinking skills and helps them understand how the law is applied in real-world situations.

Examples of Case System

  1. In a first-year Contracts course, students may study the case of Lucy v. Zehmer, which established the legal principle that a valid contract requires an offer, acceptance, and consideration.

  2. In a Property law course, students might study the case of Pierson v. Post, which established the legal principle that a person must exercise actual control over a wild animal in order to claim ownership.

  3. In a Criminal Law course, students might study the case of Miranda v. Arizona, which established the legal principle that a person must be informed of their rights before being interrogated by law enforcement.

Legal Terms Similar to Case System

  1. Common law: The legal system in which judges rely on previous court decisions to determine the outcome of new cases.

  2. Precedent: A previous court decision that is relied upon to determine the outcome of a current case.

  3. Stare decisis: The legal principle that judges must follow previous court decisions when deciding cases with similar facts.