You can choose to brief either Cheng v. Tse or Jameel v. Wall Street Journal Europe, as provided in your Defamation Reader, for a length of about 800-1,200 words. These are due by Monday, Feb. 21, 2011.

Do NOT just read and copy the language from the “headnotes” at the first couple of pages of each decision. These contents are provided by legal editors and are not part of the formal decision. They are helpful for sure but you need to read the full decision to understand what’s going on.

You can tell where the real decision starts when the judge is identified. For example, the text starts in Cheng v. Tse, when you see Chief Justice Li:  “Li CJ: I’m in complete agreement with the judgment of Lord Nicholls….” and Lord Nicholls a couple pages later.   In Jameel, it starts on p 1283 with Lord Bingham: “My Lords…”

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sky.

JMSC6022 Cheng v Tse Model Brief

JMSC6022 Jameel v WSJE Model Brief

Briefing outline

Sky’s Media Law case brief tutorial w/Gutnick

Gutnick Sample Brief

Sample Briefing 1

Bartnicki v Vopper, 532 US 514 (2001)

Sample Briefing 2

New York Times v US 403 US 713 (1971)

FOR BRIEF #2:

As the briefing assignment counts for 20% of your grade, you have the option of having Brief #1 count for the 20% or you can do a second brief and have each one count for 10%.

For Brief #2, you can do a second brief. Cases to choose from will be provided here and on the readings pages on the course website.

You can do the Asia Times Online (2008) case or the Naomi Campbell case (2004)

If you do Brief #2, you can have until March 28, 2011