University of Cagayan Valley
College of Law
LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING
2nd Semester A.Y. 2024-2025
(Saturdays 10-12 a.m.)
Course Syllabus
Prosecutor SUSAN M. FLORES-DANAO
Professor
I. COURSE TITLE: LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING - 2
UNITS
II. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a two (2)-unit course designed for first year law
students. It is an introduction to legal writing techniques. It
involves applied legal bibliography, case digesting and reporting
analysis, legal reasoning and preparation of legal opinions and
memoranda.
III. DESIRED LEARNING COMPETENCIES:
At the end of the semester, the students should be able to:
1. Learn the basic tools in legal research and writing;
2. Develop the skill of good legal writing;
3. Show appreciation of the importance of legal research as a
pre-work to legal writing.
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Attendance
2. Quizzes and writing exercises
3. Recitation
4. Periodic examinations
5. Term Paper
V. COURSE OUTLINE:
I. Legal Research
A. Definition, Importance and Sources of Legal Research
1. Definition and Importance
2. Sources of Law
a. Primary Sources
b. Secondary Materials
c. Finding Tools
B. The Legal Research Process
C. Case Briefing and Synthesis
1. Parts of a Case Brief
a. Facts
b. Issues
c. Ruling
2. Exercises on Case Briefing
3. Synthesizing Cases
D. Statutory Law
1. The Philippine Constitution
2. Treaties and International Agreements
3. Statutes Enacted by the Legislature
4. Administrative Rules and Regulations
5. Ordinances Enacted by Local Government
Units
6. Computerized Legal Research Services
E. Case Law
1. The Philippine Judicial System
2. The Doctrine of Precedent
3. “Stare Decisis” and “Res Judicata”
4. “Reversal” and “Overruling”
5. “Ratio Decidendi” and “Obiter Dictum”
6. “Binding” and “Persuasive” Authority
7. Form of Decisions
a. Parts of a Supreme Court Decision
II. Legal Writing
A. Introduction
1. Efficient Use of Paper Rule (A.M. No. 11-9-4-SC)
2. Supreme Court Stylebook
3. DOJ Manual of Writing Style
B. General Rules of Usage
C. Punctuation and Symbols
D. How To Prepare A Legal Citation
E. Using Gender-Fair and Inclusive Language
F. Legal Writing Principles
1. Clarity
2. Conciseness
3. Coherence
G. Two Broad Categories of Legal Writing
1. Legal Analysis
2. Legal Drafting
III. Legal Analysis
A. Objective Legal Analysis
1. Memoranda and Reports
2. Legal Opinion Letter
B. Persuasive Legal Analysis
1. Pleadings
2. Motion
3. Brief
VI. REFERENCES:
1. Feliciano, Myrna S., Philippine Manual of Legal Citations,
1999.
2. Rodriguez, Rufus B., Legal Research, 2002.
3. Santos-Ong, Milagros, Philippine Legal Research and
Bibliography, 2009.Legal Research
4. Javines, Francisco O., Legal Writing: Logic and Language in
Law
5. Ulep, Mauricio C., Basic Legal Writing
6. Tabucanon, Gil Marvel P., Legal Writing: A Competency-
Based Approach
7. DOJ Manual of Writing Style
8. Supreme Court Stylebook
