Acquiring a Basic Legal Repertoire

ONLINE ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAM
FOR LAW STUDENTS

[Comments] [Comment Form]

All legal analysis requires a basic legal repertoire. One of the biggest barriers to learning to read cases effectively is not understanding the language. The program that we use during orientation will begin the process of helping you to learn all the words below. However, you might find your learning expedited if you look up as many of the following words as you can find.

Use a legal dictionary only. I suggest that you purchase Black's Law Dictionary for home use and a smaller pocket law dictionary to carry around with you at law school. Don't use a regular dictionary unless the word cannot be found in a law dictionary.

Ideally, buy 3 x 5 cards, put the word on one side and the definition on the other side. Don't worry about the ones you might not be able to find in the dictionary but pay attention to different legal readings and when you find the definition complete the card. As you are reading (cases etc), add cards for any new words.

The words are divide among the following categories:

Rights, Remedies , Duties and Liabilities
Functions of Judge and Jury
A Case in Court
The Concept "Cause of Action"
The Use of Tests
Pleadings
Trial
Appeal
Other

Rights, Remedies , Duties and Liabilities
breach of duty common law rights common law rules constitutional rights duty interference with a right law	liability moral rights moral rules natural law remedy right rule of Law statutes statutory rights

Functions of Judge and Jury
dispute judge jury material facts	question of how the rule of law apply to the facts question of fact question of law rule

A Case in Court
case civil action court criminal action decision defendant judgment	judicial opinion judicial proceeding parties plaintiff trial verdict

The Concept "Cause of Action"
actions at law actions in equity cause of action common law actions	elements of a cause of action suits suits in equity

The Use of Tests
issue standard	tests

Pleadings
answer caption complaint default defense demurrer demurrer to an answer motion for a new trial motion for a directed verdict motion for summary judgment motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict motion to dismiss	motion to produce motion to strike motion to suppress motion for a protective order motion to compel motion to produce motion to strike allegations overrules pleading reply summons sustains

Trial
admission of evidence burden of proof cross examination defense deposition direct examination evidence final argument instructions interrogatories introduction of evidence	pleading questions motion for a new trial motion for directed verdict motion to make more specific opening statements preliminary instructions prima facie case testimony trial verdict judgment voir dire examination

Appeal
affirm a judgement appeal appellant appellate court appellee brief on appeal dictum error extend a judgment follow a case holding limit a judgement	modify a judgement overrules a judgement precedent record refuse to extend a case rely on a case reports reverse a judgement reversible error stare decisis sustain a judgement synthesis of cases

Other
counter-argument per curiam assumpsit	arguendo covenant distinguish fact pattern

Law School Boot Camp
Application Deadline
May 1, 2007

Law School Boot Camp
Application Deadline
May 15,, 2008

Passing the Bar
Supplemental Coaching

February 2008 Bar
Application Deadline
November 30, 2007

July 2008 Bar
Application Deadline
March 30, 2008

Always Under Construction

Last Updated:
Wednesday, July 04, 2007

You are visitor #:

to Class Preparation and Participation
since March 1, 2007.

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, some material on this website is provided for comment, background information, research and/or educational purposes only, without permission from the copyright owner(s), under the "fair use" provisions of the federal copyright laws. These materials may not be distributed for other purposes without permission of the copyright owner(s). The copyright owner is the listed author.

Always Under Construction

Last Updated: Wednesday, July 04, 2007 You are visitor #: to Class Preparation and Participation since March 1, 2007.

Last Updated:
Wednesday, July 04, 2007

You are visitor #:

to Class Preparation and Participation
since March 1, 2007.