Features · Headnotes
Judgment summaries you can check against the judgment
A good case summary tells you what the court decided, who decided it, and where in the judgment to look. Barrister AI writes headnotes in that form for Australian judgments, and links each point back to the paragraph.
Last updated 9 November 2026
In short
- Headnotes state what was held, attribute reasons to the judge who gave them, and list the authorities cited.
- New decisions from Australian courts and tribunals arrive daily, each with a headnote and catchwords.
- A summary is a starting point. Read the paragraphs you rely on before you cite them.
What a useful judgment summary contains
| Element | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Citation and court | Tells you the weight of the decision before you read a word of it. |
| Catchwords | The subject areas and the legislation in issue, for quick triage. |
| What was held | The orders and the reasons that support them, not a narrative of the facts. |
| Judge attribution | In a multi-member court, who said what, and whether it is the majority view. |
| Authorities cited | The cases and provisions the court relied on, so you can follow the reasoning. |
| Paragraph references | Where in the judgment each point is made, so you can check it. |
How to write a case summary yourself
- Record the full citation, the court and the judges.
- State the question the court had to decide in one sentence.
- Set out the material facts only: the facts the outcome turned on.
- State the holding and the orders.
- Summarise the reasoning, with paragraph references, separating the ratio from obiter remarks.
- Note any dissent and any later treatment of the case.
Students writing a case brief can follow the same structure. See Barrister AI for law students.
Frequently asked questions
Are AI case summaries reliable?
They are reliable as a guide to where to read, not as a substitute for reading. A summary that cites the paragraph lets you check it quickly; one that does not should not be relied on.
Which courts are covered?
Decisions from Australian courts and tribunals across federal, state and territory jurisdictions. Browse them in the courts index.
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