ChatGPT Prompt: Summarize a Case in 6 Structured Sections
Drop in a case name and get a tight 6-section brief — citation, facts, issues, holding, reasoning, and subsequent treatment.
The Prompt
1: Case Law Summary
Act as a legal research assistant. Summarize the key holdings,
facts, and reasoning from [Case Name]. Structure your summary as:
1. Citation and Jurisdiction
2. Key Facts (3-4 sentences)
3. Legal Issue(s) Presented
4. Court's Holding
5. Reasoning and Key Quotes
6. Subsequent Treatment (if known)
Note: I will verify all citations independently.Variables (1)
| Variable | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| {{case_name}} | Case Name | Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. (1 Cranch) 137 (1803) |
Expected Output
A 6-section case brief: citation, key facts, issues, holding, reasoning with quotes, and subsequent treatment.
Usage Notes
ChatGPT hallucinates case quotes routinely. Always verify in Westlaw, Lexis, or the official reporter before citing in a brief.
Originally featured in: ChatGPT Prompts for Lawyers: The Complete Guide
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