> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://jennyrice.gitbook.io/wrd-418-legal-writing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://jennyrice.gitbook.io/wrd-418-legal-writing/chapter-5-comparing-cases-and-rule-synthesis/comparing-cases.md).

# Comparing Cases

## <mark style="color:blue;">**1. Why Compare Cases?**</mark>

Law isn’t just about knowing one rule — it’s about understanding how rules apply in different situations. Comparing cases helps you:

* See patterns in the law.
* Spot differences that matter (and differences that don’t).
* Build stronger arguments by showing why your case is *like* or *unlike* earlier cases.
* Synthesize rules from multiple sources.

When you compare cases, you’re training your brain to:

1. **Recognize core legal ideas** in each case.
2. **Notice how courts weigh facts** to apply those ideas.

## <mark style="color:blue;">2. How to Compare</mark>

When reading and comparing cases, focus on these three elements:

1. **The Rule**
   * Does the case apply the same rule as your other case?
   * Has the rule been changed, narrowed, or expanded?
2. **The Facts**
   * Which facts made a difference to the court’s decision?
   * Are the important facts in one case also present in the other?
   * If facts differ, do those differences matter under the rule?
3. **The Reasoning**

   * Did the court focus on fairness, efficiency, public policy, or a bright-line test?
   * Did it interpret a statute broadly or narrowly?
   * How does this reasoning compare to other cases?

## <mark style="color:blue;">**3. The Case Summary Chart: Your Comparison Tool**</mark>

One of the best ways to see how cases fit together is to break them into the same categories and put them side by side.

<table data-header-hidden data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Case name</td><td><p>Issue/</p><p>questions</p></td><td>Rule</td><td>Facts</td><td>Answer+ Reasoning</td></tr><tr><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td></tr><tr><td><br><br><br><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td></tr><tr><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td></tr><tr><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td><td><br></td></tr></tbody></table>

Let’s walk through how to fill this chart in for one case.

**Example:** *Smith v. Grocery Mart*

* **Case Name:** *Smith v. Grocery Mart* (Ky. Ct. App. 2017)
* **Issue / Question:** Is a grocery store liable when a customer slips on a spill it knew about but didn’t clean up right away?
* **Rule:** A property owner must take reasonable steps to address hazards they know about or should know about.
* **Key Facts:** Spill in produce section; employees saw it; no cleanup or warning for 20 minutes; customer slipped and broke her wrist.

| **Case Name**            | **Issue / Question**            | **Rule**                         | **Key Facts**                                                                       | **Answer + Reasoning**                        |
| ------------------------ | ------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| *Smith v. Grocery Mart*  | Store liability for known spill | Reasonable steps after knowledge | Employees saw spill, no cleanup, 20 min delay                                       | Liable – actual knowledge, no action          |
| *Davis v. Corner Market* | Store liability for spill       | Reasonable steps after knowledge | Spill occurred moments before fall; no one saw it; routine inspections every 30 min | Not liable – no actual/constructive knowledge |
|                          |                                 |                                  |                                                                                     |                                               |

Once you have charts for two cases, you can compare them side-by-side to see patterns.&#x20;