1. Reading Mabo
LWZ100B

2. Case Name
Names of
the Parties
Headnote

3. AGLC Case Name Mabo v Queensland (No 2) Put the case name in italics
Use only first plaintiff and first defendant, do not include ‘and others’.
Use a ‘v’ between the parties
Use State name, don’t write ‘State of’ (eg. Queensland, not ‘State of Queensland’)
Include the number, but no full stop and use round brackets.
Mabo v Queensland (No 2)

4. Case Name
Headnote
Catchwords

5. Case Name
Headnote
Dates in
Court

6. Case Name
Headnote
Judges
who
heard
the
case

7. summary of material facts
Case Name
Headnote
summary of material facts

9. ratio decidendi

18. Procedural History How did this case come to be decided by the court?
‘brought an action’ – commenced proceedings – started a court case
Appellate jurisdiction / original jurisdiction
Superior courts / inferior courts

19. Material facts: What are the material facts?
The material facts will reveal the relevant legal rules

21. End of Headnote

22. CLR = authorised decisions of the HCA
Other report formats
The Mabo case we just looked at was a CLR – Commonwealth Law Report
CLR = authorised decisions of the HCA
Cases may be written up in other reports
Such as ALR, Austlii